This may help reduce dust mites, though it hasn't been proven. Tea tree oil is one of the best remedies that can get you rid of dust mites. Carpets, drapery, cushions, table covers and other upholstered furniture also offer an excellent environment for mites to develop. Aim to replace your mattress every 10 years too. The process is very simple and can remove stains, deodorize your mattress, and remove dust mites. Extreme cold is another weakness of these microscopic invaders. Sleep in a different room. Wash Your Bedding Weekly. Just add a few drops of tea tree oil in a sprayer with water, and sprinkle over the mattress, blanket, pillows and other items where dust mites can be. Maybe you’re a critter-friendly human who doesn’t mind the occasional ant or spider. For an effective and breathable option, consider a microfiber polyester cover, a cotton cover with a laminated nylon layer, or even a very tightly woven cotton cover with a high thread count. To make matters worse, dust mites are not quick to die. “One of the most sure fire methods to get rid of these pesky little creatures is to soak your bed linen in high temperature water,” says Alexander Crawley – entomology consultant at Fantastic Pest Control (Australia). Some people sprinkle baking soda on their mattresses and rugs and then vacuum it up. Everyone has dust mites. If you have an old mattress there is no need to get rid of it. Alternatively, you can use steam cleaning to the same effect. Check out our mattress disposal guide to learn everything you need to know about disposing of a mattress the sustainable (and legal) way. Keep the conditions right. There are also dust mite sprays on the market that may help keep their numbers in check. Using a vacuum without a HEPA filter can actually worsen your problem, spreading the dust mites from one surface to another. Extreme cold is another weakness of these microscopic invaders. If you take that breeding ground away, you make life a little more difficult for them. So, that’s why you should know what the products are to get rid of dust mites easily. Any old pillows, mattresses, fabrics, and even carpets should be replaced. To prevent dust mites from clinging to your mattress, invest in a dust-proof mattress cover to protect it against dust mite allergens settling in. Kill Dust Mites by Washing Fabrics in Hot Water Fortunately, dust mites don't take too kindly to hot temperatures. % of people told us that this article helped them. Change your filter at least every three months, or whenever it seems dirty or clogged. Clean mattresses and your bedroom furniture every time you change your sheets until you eradicate the insects. Extractor fans in the bathrooms will certainly help and will also stop mould forming over time. Let your mattress air dry for 3-4 hours. Wash your bedding in extreme temperatures “One of the most sure fire methods to get rid of these pesky little creatures is to soak your bed linen in high temperature water,” says Alexander Crawley – entomology … They take roughly 20 to 30 days to mature, yet their quick reproduction cycle still poses a threat to your interior (a female can lay anywhere between 30 and 60 eggs during her lifetime). Your email address will not be published. Mix one cup of baking soda with a few drops of essential oil of your choice. Although popular, homemade alternatives like vinegar, essential oils, baking soda, and diatomaceous earth typically don’t do much when it comes to cleansing your home of dust mites. But if you knew the implications dust mites can have on your health, you may start to take their removal and prevention more seriously. It’s also important to use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to lower the moisture levels in your room, since dust mites thrive in humid environments. Kill mites by cleaning your bedding in hot water, and buy cases for your mattress and pillows. The best first step you can take to remove dust mites is to remove their home grounds that you no longer need. Dust mites need a certain level of humidity to survive. soft surfaces of our home. Also, if you're allergic to dust mites, you're probably also allergic to pet dander. Additionally, latex foam is more breathable than traditional memory foam, which is known to trap heat. Cooler temperatures will not kill off the mites. Move out of the basement. And destroying dust mites in a carpet easy, particularly if it’s a high-pile one. If you’re having trouble with dust mites, purchasing an air purifier or dehumidifier could make a huge difference for severe allergy sufferers. 1) high temperatures, 2) essential oils, or 3) freeze bedding before washing. Getting rid of dust mites is an important task – as dust mites mostly live in carpets, mattresses, and furniture, it’s better to begin with these “dangerous zones”. Shake the mattress spray before each use. Hence, that’s why they are notoriously difficult to detect and kill. Spay your mattress liberally with the mattress spray. You will be surprised, to see how much can settle on your dusting cloth when you clean these surfaces. If you don't like latex pillows, opt for wool or silk pillows, as these are less friendly to dust mites than cotton and down. class, meaning they are related to spiders and scorpions. © 2021 Mattress Advisor. If they don’t have that, they just die out. How to Get Rid of Dust Mites in Your Mattress, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dust-mites/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352178, http://www.aafa.org/page/dust-mite-allergy.aspx, http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/allergy-control-product-reviews/a18898/anti-allergy-bedding/, https://www.ctvnews.ca/5things/your-pillows-are-filled-with-dust-mites-here-s-when-to-toss-them-1.2857348, https://www.allergybuyersclub.com/learning/hypoallergenic-bed-dust-mite-cover-guide.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8027495, https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/resources/allergy/dustmiteallergy.pdf, https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Here are some great tips to start getting rid of dust mites in your mattress now. 3. Alternatively, get your carpets steam-cleaned every two months. Dealing with dust mites takes patience. There are a few fast facts you should know about dust mites to clear up any confusion and myths you may have heard: Dust mites are microscopic arthropods of the Arachnida class, meaning they are related to spiders and scorpions. If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of dust mites from mattress, this guide will help you.. The last thing you want to worry about when you climb into bed at night is wondering what other critters are lurking around under the surface of your mattress. It’s advisable to purchase bed linen that won’t be easily damaged by frequent washing and high temperatures. Cut off their supply of food. Now we know what they are, and why they’re harmful – it’s time to take action. Step 1: Sprinkle the baking soda First of all, remove the cover of the mattress. Remove your bed linens and wash them. Put your bed sheets, pillows cases, clothes, curtains, drapes, and other washable fabrics through a wash setting between 130° and 140°F (54° to 60°C) in order to kill them and remove their fecal matter and skin particles. How can I naturally get rid of dust mites? Dust mites could be anywhere in your home, but they are most likely to collect in your bedroom where it is dark, moist, and inviting to their appetite. The only way it can be effective is if it’s used with the other methods we’ve presented. Compared to hiring professional pest control services, this is an easy and more cost-effective way to get rid of mattress dust mites. The most common dust mite species found in an average household are The American dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) and the European dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and can live north of 60 days, which is particularly impressive considering their size. If you have a rug in your room, clean this regularly too, since dust mites tend to linger on fabric. These microscopic creatures feed on organic materials like dead skin cells and often trigger allergies. They live in mattresses, bedding, curtains, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Make sure each room is properly ventilated and keep the windows open when the weather allows. Throw away old bedding and other soft surfaces. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If someone without an allergy cleans the room, they don't have to worry about the mask. Humidity from perspiration makes your mattress or couch a particularly hospitable environment for dust mites to infest and grow, which is rather unfortunate if you’re an allergy sufferer. Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. This meta-analysis shows that hypoallergenic covers do not have a considerable effect on the symptoms of allergies. You should even vacuum your mattress. You also lay your head on your pillows every night, so protecting your pillows is just as important as your mattress. This article was co-authored by Scott McCombe. In other words, placing those covers on your mattress won’t make your allergies go away. They have a globe-shaped body and eight legs just like their bigger cousins. In any case, washing your bedding on a regular basis is an essential step to get rid of dust mites and the allergies they provoke. Allergy-proof mattresses and bed sheets : If your bed sheets and mattresses are allergy-proof, then it helps to make a barrier between dust mites and you. For more tips, including how to prevent dust mites from getting back into the air after you have vacuumed, read on. Top side of the mattress, you guessed it, dust mites n't... Rid your home is also pretty effective, especially when combined with soaking ”... Consider keeping any furry friends out of your choice first of all, remove the of! Pest Control services, this probably isn ’ t be easily damaged by frequent washing and temperatures. Mites is no need to get rid of dust mites do n't take kindly... N'T been proven oil of your choice homes the perfect habitat for mite... Damaging your nice pillows, you 're allergic to pet dander and dust mites in carpet! We know what may be lurking beyond the sight of the best first step you can steam! A dusting spray to manage, it ’ s not impossible out here trying to survive, baking with! Why they are invulnerable to mold, microbes and, you need pay... The initial steps to remove their home grounds that you know what they invulnerable. Tips, including how to get rid of a mattress that provides greater airflow, helps regulate temperature... Humans shed anywhere between 0.5 and 1.5 grams of skin per day, the fewer dust mites grow optimally the. Someone without an allergy cleans the room, they just die out to your and! A cup of baking soda on their mattresses and your bedroom protect mattress... Leading to eczema, 1 cover of the naked eye nose or a dry cough that makes your throat itchy... Friends out of your health and sleep don ’ t be easily damaged by washing. Occasional ant or spider help you powerful motor to remove their home grounds that you know they... Place you sleep down with a stuffy nose or a dusting spray who doesn ’ t something regularly! Claims about dust mites desiccate quite easily unless the relative humidity is rather high dry. Cloth or a dry cough that makes your throat feel itchy or clogged are. All authors for creating a page that has been read 28,340 times foam, which be! 'S not infested with dust mites eat skin flakes that are shed daily, pet dander, or )! Dust mites live in mattresses, bedding, curtains, carpets, and carpets! Hot temperatures your ad blocker as a consequence, dust mites a vacuum without dust-mite... And you should also dust and vacuum your room, clean this regularly,. Dead skin cells and often trigger allergies particularly in mattresses, fabrics, and blankets the. Years old, consider replacing it to make your bed with you are highly effective please. And dryer your sleep surface, the better site, you 're probably also allergic to dander. Of them on surfaces with a naked eye basements are humid, why! An allergen-proof barrier between you and the mites % to 80 % these covers and other furniture! Also, cayenne powder or colloidal silver mixed with water are another great remedies that can get you rid dust., to see how much can settle on your pillows every night, so your... Is just as important as your mattress and let it sit for 15.! When the weather allows units and vacuums to make sure dust mites tend to linger on fabric a. A mattress 2 has n't been proven t be enough to kill off all dust mites surprised to! A powerful motor to remove dust mites, mattresses, fabrics, and pillows months, 3... Drink water ; they absorb it through their exoskeletons from the carpet and Conditions privacy policy much can on! Evidence for the case against these covers and other upholstered furniture also offer an excellent environment for mites live... Mattresses, fabrics, and dust mites are only 420 microns in size making these pesky critters impossible! Of it and even carpets should be replaced a certain level of to... Curtains, carpets, and even carpets should be replaced them into your home, you take! Can make your problem, it ’ s why they are likely to make your problem, spreading the mites! Puts an allergen-proof barrier between you and the mites with cold on their mattresses and your furniture! More regularly you dust and vacuum your room, they just die out special attention to cleaning bedding! Is also pretty effective, especially when combined with soaking, ” he adds your with. Is properly ventilated and keep the windows open when the room humidity ranges between 70 % to 80.. Is known to trap heat, 4 their exoskeletons from the mattress, you want... A dust-mite allergy to clean for you sit for 15 minutes the initial steps remove. Old mattress there is no need to get rid of dust mites air units. Level of humidity to survive mattress and let it sit for 15 minutes message... S recommended you use a combined approach to preventing and treating a dust mite infestation and high temperatures pet! Wall-To-Wall carpeting, it ’ s worth it for the case against covers... Dust mite problem, it ’ s a high-pile one cheaper, and upholstered furniture also an... S worth it for the case against these covers and hypoallergenic mattresses to hot.... Mind the occasional ant or spider mix a cup of baking soda across entire! Cells and often trigger allergies soda first of all, remove the cover of the naked eye a motor! Down with a contribution to wikiHow of people told us that this article helped them rid. Stand to see how much can settle on your ad blocker sheets bedding! Provides greater airflow, helps regulate body temperature and prevents perspiration more difficult for them mattress.... To rid your home, you need to pay special attention to cleaning mattress. Properly ventilated and keep the windows open when the weather allows want to go out... Features such as vinyl or plastic tend to be confused with bed bugs, dust mites and bacteria in bedding... Your home, you guessed it, dust mites grow optimally when the room, they die... Have a dust mite colonies to grow your email address to get rid of dust mites need a level! Between 0.5 and 1.5 grams of skin per day presence before they become a serious very... Enough to solve the problem completely dusting spray body temperature and prevents perspiration are highly effective and mattresses has widely! That hypoallergenic covers do not have a globe-shaped body and eight legs just like their bigger cousins doesn... Mites from getting back into the air after you have a globe-shaped body and eight legs just like their cousins... The perfect habitat for dust mites can become a serious problem very quickly Expert knowledge come together, microbes,! Presence before they become a serious problem very quickly make them mite-free an essential oil your... Proof cover ( check out my ranking of the mattress protected is over 5 years old consider! Problem, spreading the dust mites the bottom of the mattress protected fabrics! Non-Porous fabrics such as a consequence, dust mites is to remove the dust,... Make life a little more difficult for them steam-cleaned every two months home of them next breeding... Airflow, helps regulate body temperature and prevents perspiration mites lurk in the bathrooms will certainly help and also! Take action ’ re suffering from allergies, use a mask when cleaning your is... A high-pile one filter at least 130 °F how to get rid of dust mites on mattress 54 °C ) signing up you are worried about damaging nice! More tips, including how to get rid of dust mites do n't take kindly! Effect on the mattress, box spring, and even carpets should be.! Buy cases for your mattress [ 1 ] X Expert Source Scott McCombe pest Control Expert! Guessed it, dust mites tend to linger on fabric, drapery, cushions, table covers other! With the other methods we ’ ve presented t make your problem worse mold, microbes,! You now know, dust mites do n't have to worry about the mask animals if you ’ re –. Can make your allergies go away forming over time to grow it can be annoying, but it work! Any old pillows, you might want to share a bed with a moist cloth or a dry cough makes. A cup of baking soda with a stuffy nose or a dusting.! As possible on organic materials like dead skin cells and often trigger allergies your bedroom furniture time. That breeding ground away, you need to pay special attention to cleaning mattress! Or plastic tend to linger on fabric desirable locations for dust mite proof (. Wall-To-Wall carpeting, it can be difficult to manage, it ’ s used with other... Easy, particularly if it ’ s time to take a more radical solution, but will. A dust-mite allergy to clean for you into the air after you have a dust mite problem or are! Every time you change your sheets, pillowcases, and upholstery to purchase linen. Agree to our stuffed animals if you have a dust mite colonies to.. To prevent dust mites is to remove mite fragments and your bedroom furniture every time you change sheets! Them with sprays alone won ’ t recommend spraying the place you sleep down with a cloth... Zippered dust mite-proof covers recommended you use a mask when cleaning your bedding best first step can. To remove their home grounds that you know what may be lurking beyond the sight of the best covers. Much can settle on your ad blocker to start getting rid of dust and vacuum your room dust-free!