How to Get Rid of Dust Mites: A Complete Guide

One of the most common questions we hear is, "How do I get rid of dust mites?" We get it. These microscopic pests are the source of so many problems for millions of people, causing frustrating and uncomfortable allergy symptoms.

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of a dust mite allergy can include sneezing, a runny nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and even a skin rash. By taking effective steps to reduce the number of dust mites in your home, you can take back control of your allergies.

To help you fight back, we’ve put together this complete guide with highly effective ways to get rid of dust mites.

Highly Effective Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites

1. Get Rid of Their Home or Make it Uncomfortable.
2. Starve the Enemy.
3. Hot Water Washing and Cleaning.
4. Frequent Vacuuming and Dusting.
5. Deep Freeze.
6. Desiccants Kill Dust Mites. 

First, Know Your Enemy: The Dust Mite

Before you can win the war, you need to understand what you're fighting. Here are the key facts about dust mites:

• Dust mites, their body parts, and their feces are the most common household allergens. This is what causes your sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, eczema, and asthma.

• Dust mites are microscopic and don't bite you. You cannot see them or feel them.

• They feed on shed human skin cells. They are often found in places where it is dark, moist, and there is plenty of food.

• Your mattress, pillow, and blanket are the perfect breeding ground because they offer the ideal environment for dust mites to thrive.

Highly Effective Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites

#1 Get Rid of Their Home or Make it Uncomfortable.

Dust mites love fiber surfaces. Removing them requires a multi-pronged approach that targets the places they live.

• Carpeting: Allergists agree that the best flooring for dust mite allergies is a hard surface like tile, hardwood, or laminate. While you may not have an active breeding ground in your carpets, they trap dead mites and their feces, which are the source of allergens.

  • The Best Solution: Replace carpets and large area rugs with hard-surface flooring. Small throw rugs that can be washed weekly are acceptable.

  • A Cost-Friendly Alternative: We understand that replacing your carpet isn't always an option. For a more budget-friendly solution, consider X-mite carpet treatment. This product is specifically designed to rid your carpeting and upholstered furniture of harmful dust mite allergens, providing up to 90 days of relief while also cleaning the treated surface.

• Furniture: Upholstered furniture is another great hiding place for dust mites. Replace these pieces with furniture made from hard surfaces like hardwood, leather, or synthetic leather, which can be easily wiped clean.

• Window Coverings: Remove heavy draperies and replace them with hard-surface blinds. If you must keep curtains, wash them weekly or treat them with an anti-allergen spray.

• Dust Catchers & Clutter: Reduce the number of items that collect dust in your home, especially in the bedroom. Wipe down all hard surfaces with a damp cloth at least once a week. For a deeper clean, a product like Allerdust Dusting Aid can help eliminate dust mites, pet dander, and mold.

#2 Starve the Enemy

It’s not practical to wash your mattress, pillows, and box spring in hot water every week. So, how can you protect yourself from the mites living inside? By starving them.

You can kill dust mites over time by cutting off their food supply. The most effective way to do this is by creating a barrier between you and the mites.

• Protect your pillows, mattress, and box spring with special zippered dust mite-proof covers. These covers create an allergen-proof barrier that traps the mites inside, preventing them from accessing their food source (your skin cells) and preventing their allergens from reaching you. You’ll get relief from the very first night.

• Hang bedding outside. For items like comforters and blankets, hanging them outside in direct sunlight can help kill mites. Be aware that this can cause the bedding to collect pollen and grass, which may be an issue for those with pollen allergies.

#3 Hot Water Washing and Cleaning

Washing your bed linens weekly is crucial for eliminating allergens, but regular washing often isn't enough.

The water in your washing machine needs to be at least 140∘F to kill dust mites and eliminate allergens. However, most household water heaters are not set this high for safety reasons. So, how can you effectively eliminate dust mites without the risk of scalding?

The Solution: Use specialized laundry products.

• De-Mite Laundry Additive: This additive, which contains tea tree oil and oil of wintergreen, safely eliminates dust mites from your bedding and clothes when you wash in warm or cold water.

• Allersearch Allergen Wash: This product uses powerful surfactants and ACARIL to eliminate allergens and remove soil from anything you can put in the washing machine.

Steam is another great option for killing dust mites. For items that can't be washed, steam cleaning is a natural and effective method.

#4 Frequent Vacuuming and Dusting

Proper cleaning techniques are essential for removing dust mites and their allergens from your home.

• Dust with a damp cloth. Always start at the top of the room and work your way down. Avoid dusting with products that leave a residue, as this can attract more dust.

• Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner. HEPA filters trap the microscopic allergens that would otherwise be released back into the air. We recommend a canister model with a completely sealed system to prevent allergens from leaking out.

• Tip: Wait at least two hours after dusting or vacuuming before you go to bed. This gives any airborne dust and allergens time to settle before you are exposed to them all night.

 #5 Deep Freeze

While you can't freeze your bed, this method is highly effective for smaller items like stuffed toys and pillows.

How to Freeze Stuffed Toys:

1. Place the item in a plastic bag.

2. Put the bag in your freezer overnight (or for at least 6-8 hours).

3. Once frozen, toss the toy into the dryer on the "fluff" or "air-only" setting to remove any remaining allergens and restore its fluffiness.

#6 Desiccants and Moisture Control

Dust mites don't drink water; they absorb moisture from the air. By drying out their environment, you make it less hospitable for them.

• Use a dehumidifier to keep your home's humidity level below 50%.

• While not scientifically proven to directly kill dust mites, desiccants like borax or silica gel can help reduce moisture levels in specific areas, further discouraging dust mite growth.

We're Here to Help You Win the Fight!

You can be the cleanest person in the world and still have a dust mite problem. If you're waking up every morning with bleary eyes, a runny nose, or a cough, these microscopic opponents may be the cause.

Dust mite allergens are tough to beat, but now that you know what you're up against, you can prepare yourself to fight back and win!

Confused about where to start? Don't worry. The Allergy Store has been helping people with allergies and asthma since 1989. Explore our complete range of dust mite solutions and start your journey toward a healthier, allergen-free home today.

Works Cited

Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dust-mites/symptoms-causes/syc-20352173 

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/allergens/dustmites/index.cfm