Dust mites can be quite invasive and bothersome, but they can also have adverse effects on your health. These small mites make their homes out of various fabrics, including your bedding, curtains, rugs, carpets, and some sofas. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back.
9 Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites:
- Wash all of your fabrics regularly
- Use insecticide to eliminate the mites
- Keep the humidity below 50%
- Vacuum and dust your home often
- Throw worn bedding, carpets, and rugs
- Install an air conditioner filter
- Change your bedding to a dust-proof option
- Consider synthetic, mite-proof materials
- Clean your house often
In this article, we’ll break down a list of nine ways you can treat dust mites to keep them away from good.
We’ll also provide you with a couple of product suggestions to help accelerate the process. Enjoy!
1. Wash All the Bedding on a High Temperature
Dust mites are no match for high temperatures.
They can’t withstand long-lasting cycles in the laundry machine, which is why you should throw all of your bedding and any laundry that the mites touched in the washer.
According to Health.com, it’s best to set the washer to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 Celsius) or whatever your high-heat setting is.
When the cycle completes, put the clean laundry in the dryer on its highest setting. Some clothes and bedding can’t be washed on high-heat cycles because they can loosen the fabric.
Related Article: Dust mite carcasses and feces are significant contributors to the dust in our homes. It’s true folks. Does Dust Come Out of Air Vents? What You Need to Know
If you can’t place them in the washer on the highest setting, soak them in a tub with warm water, then dry them in the sunlight.
The fact is, most all beds have thousands to millions of dust mites. Your bed is no doubt infested.
Purchasing a new bed may be out of the budget, but you may want to consider starting fresh with at least a new set of pillows.
2. Use a Non-Toxic Spray to Eliminate the Dust Mites
Non-toxic dust mite sprays are excellent because they get rid of the mites within seconds.
Spray it wherever you need to, including rugs, carpets, bedding, drapes, and so on.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that these sprays don’t prevent mites from coming back. You’ll have to try some of the other methods mentioned throughout this post.
A few sprays will kill the mites, letting you wipe them away with a sponge or soft microfiber cloth.
This formula is non-toxic and free of dyes and scents, leaving your home safe and sound.
3. Vacuum and Dust Your Home Weekly
Dust mites thrive on dust, so they can’t settle if it’s not present. The good news is that it’s very easy to get rid of the dust around your home.
All you have to do is to vacuum and brush everything once a week.
What is an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)? Ultimate Resource Learn how an energy recovery ventilator helps capture indoor humidity, odors, and pollutants such as chemicals, pollen, and smoke particles.
Making it a weekend habit will stop the dust mites from living in your house for too long.
If you notice there’s dust flying around when you clean, there are two things you can do:
- Wet the towel you use to wipe the dust; it’ll prevent the dust from floating off the surface and help it stick to the cleaning product.
- Wear a dust mask to stop the dust from going into your lungs, especially if you have allergies.
4. Get Rid of Worn Carpets and Rugs
Texas A&M explains how dust mites need a surface to lay eggs and grow.
Without a long-term place to spread, they won’t be able to make a mess of your home. Look for porous, patchy, or loose fabrics around your home.
They might house quite a few mites, which means it’s time to get rid of them. Amazon is where I go to buy all of my throw rugs.
I love best that I can see the consumer ratings and purchase a rug that has great reviews.
If you have a long-lasting dust mite problem, replacing the floors with hardwood or another non-fabric surface would make a massive difference.
You’d notice drastic improvements because these surfaces are less than ideal for dust mites, so they won’t go near them.
Related Article: 11 Ways to Get Rid of Dust in Your House
5. Switch to Dust-Proof Bedding and Curtains
Check your bedding to see if it’s hypoallergenic or if it repels dust. There are dozens of materials that absorb dust, making them a terrible choice for those who have to deal with dust mites.
One way to treat dust mites without washing your bedding in a high-heat setting is to cover them in plastic wrap for a few days.
Once the oxygen is out of the wrap, the mites won’t survive. However, it’s not always ideal to leave crunchy, uncomfortable plastic on bedding.
Switching to dust-resistance bedding and curtains is undoubtedly one of the most effective treatments. They’re also much better for people who suffer from allergies.
I actually have this bed protector on my bed and it’s held up nicely.
6. Install a Dehumidifier to Prevent Mites from Settling
Dehumidifiers are crucial to prevent dust mites. Many mites need a relatively humid environment to lay eggs, eat, survive, and spread.
Unfortunately, this means a lot of coastal towns are more susceptible to mites.
The bright side is that you can place a dehumidifier in your room to keep them away. Some air conditioners have built-in dehumidifiers.
Either way, it’s best to keep the humidity at or below 50%.
This range drastically reduces the chance of the mites coming back, but it also won’t make your home too dry or uncomfortable.
Lowering the humidity can also help reduce mold, mildew, rotting, and more. It’s an all-in-one solution for mites, bed bugs, and many other invasive insect pests.
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a decent dehumidifier with great consumer reviews.
Just make sure you are purchasing a dehumidifier that is adequate for the square footage in the room you wish to put it in.
7. Use Synthetic Materials to Keep Dust Mites Away
Dust doesn’t settle on polyester nearly as much as cotton, wool, and down. These natural materials absorb dust and hold onto it, especially since a large portion of dust consists of dead skin cells.
The soft synthetic material is often too slippery and not porous enough to hold dust, leaving dust mites without a home.
Polyester is one of the best choices because it’s a bit more breathable than other synthetic fabrics.
It’s also well-insulated, preventing too much body heat from escaping. If you don’t want to use synthetic bedding, you can still switch your curtains, rugs, and other decorations with them.
Synthetic materials also last longer, which means they won’t wear down and become porous.
All around, they’re better for those struggling with dust mites and bed bugs.
8. Add a High-Quality Filter to Your Air Conditioner
The Mayo Clinic states you should use an air conditioner filter with an 11 to 12 MERV rating (the system used to define the dense filters).
This range traps dust and dust mites, eliminating the source and the problem.
Air filtration can be a huge benefit, even if you use a portable AC system rather than a household air conditioner.
Note: Always check the size and recommended rating for your air conditioner to ensure you get the right type of filter.
The MERV rating is useless if there are gaps around the edges since the air can flow freely, carrying dust and mites.
Replace your air conditioner’s filter every three to six months (or as instructed by the manufacturer).
9. Keep Your Home Clean Throughout the Month
Dust is made of skin flakes, cotton fuzz, and other organic materials. It’s bound to find its way into anyone’s home, which is why it’s important to wipe all of the surfaces as much as you can.
Nobody wants to clean their whole house every day. That being said, you can separate your house into sections and clean one portion per weekend.
This method lets you handle it in less than half an hour weekly without becoming too much of a hassle.
Each cleaning session should include vacuuming, dusting, wiping mirrors (yes, dust settles on the glass all the time), cleaning windows, scrubbing rugs, and washing various fabrics.
Sources
Trina Greenfield, Author
SmackDown Media LLC
LinkedIn
About the Author:
Trina Greenfield, the owner of SmackDown Media LLC, is passionate about providing information to those interested in the air quality in and around their homes. Trina writes content about things she’s passionate about, such as safe, in-home air, educational platforms for children and adults, as well as all things family-related.
