How to Get Rid of Dust Mites in Your Home

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are tiny, invisible pests that feed on dead human skin cells, which we constantly shed. They love warm and humid environments but are not parasitic like bed bugs; they don’t bite, sting, or burrow into the skin. However, they can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

You may find these mites in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets, and even curtains. Their lifespan varies depending on the environment, ranging from one to three months. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the risk of dust mites in your home. Regular cleaning, maintaining low humidity, and using protective covers on mattresses and pillows can help keep these pesky mites at bay.

9 Tips on How to Get Rid of Dust Mites

If you love snuggling into a warm cozy bed at night, so do dust mites! It’s natural for us all to shed some skin and it’s just what dust mites love to feed off. This is why changing bed linen frequently and cleaning the bedding properly is important for dust mite control.

All washable bedding should be changed and cleaned weekly in hot water to remove allergens and kill dust mites.

Choose items that can go in the washing machine. For instance, opt for a quilt instead of a duvet that’s too bulky to wash in your washing machine. Look for pillows that are washable as well.
Moreover, try to avoid bedding that tends to trap dust. For example, a ruffled bedcover will likely trap more dust than smooth fabric. Skip bedding you don’t necessarily need, such as extra throw pillows or bed skirting.

In the children’s room, choose stuffed toys that can be easily thrown into the washing machine, alternatively, you can use the freezer method. Placing toys in a bag in the freezer for 24 hours will also kill any lurking dust mites.

3. Use Mattresses Protectors

If you are looking for the simplest way on how to get rid of dust mites, it is to add protective coverings to your mattress and pillows. They will create a barrier between you and the bed or pillow, preventing mites from getting in and out.

Mattresses should be steam cleaned at least twice a year to kill dust mites and kept clean with spot cleaning where necessary.

4. Vacuum Frequently

Carpets and hard floors should be vacuumed at least once a week to help minimise dust mites in your home. Pay close attention to the corners and edges of the room, as these areas tend to collect more dust and debris.

To effectively combat dust and dust mites on upholstered fabric furniture, it’s important to vacuum the upholstery weekly and employ a steam cleaner periodically. Before using the steam cleaner, always conduct a spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure its compatibility with the upholstery fabric. Integrate this into your seasonal cleaning routine along with your regular vacuuming for optimal results.

5. How cool is your room?

Keeping a cool temperature in your home won’t prevent dust mites, however, it will keep them from breeding and multiplying quickly. Dust mites thrive in temperatures around 25 degrees. So, if you can keep the home under that temperature throughout most of the year, you’ll be doing yourself a favour by minimising the dust mite population.

6. Remove Heavy Window Coverings

If you have heavy drapes or other window coverings that can’t be washed frequently, it may be a good idea to remove them. Heavy drapes can become a cosy home for a family of dust mites.

Instead, opt for curtains that can be machine washed or timber blinds or shutters that can be easily dusted regularly. There are many window covering options that block out light and offer privacy without compromising on style and function.

7. Clean Airconditiong Filters

A home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system can affect the amount of dust that circulates your home and eventually settle on surfaces. The system’s filters should capture dust, which, in turn, helps get rid of dust mites. You need to regularly clean and replace your air conditioning filters as per manufacturer instructions to help maintain the air quality in your home.

If your home does not have an air conditioning system, consider air purifiers to capture dust and dust mites.

8. Use Natural Oils to Kill Dust Mites

Studies have shown that clove oil can help get rid of dust mites. Other scents found to repel dust mites are rosemary and eucalyptus.

The oil can be diffused into the air or combined with water and sprayed on a mattress, carpet, or fabric surface. Always test in a small area to ensure the oil won’t leave a stain. For a fresh twist, blend a few drops with baking soda, sprinkle liberally, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum away the magic!

9. Use a Damp Mop

Dry mopping will generally stir up dust rather than capture it. To effectively get rid of dust mites, we recommend using a damp mop, similarly, when dusting furniture and other surfaces. Plain water is usually sufficient, but you can also use a cleaning spray suitable for the surface.

Avoid mopping or wiping too aggressively, as this can cause dust to become airborne. Be systematic with cleaning, ensuring you don’t touch clean surfaces with a dirty mop or cloth. If possible, take the mop head or cloth outside to shake out the dust, or place it directly into the wash. Do this carefully to prevent dust from re-entering your home.

If you suspect you have dust mites in your home, symptoms often show up with constant sneezing, congestion, and itchy watery eyes. Prolonged symptoms like this may suggest that it’s time to work on some of our suggestions on how to get rid of dust mites. If you don’t have the time for such work, our team at Simply Spotless are happy to help with your cleaning needs so you can keep the dust mites at bay.