fbpx
Header burger open
Search Logo

Jump To

Currently Viewing:

How to Get Rid of Dust Mites in 10 Steps?

a profile image of TSA author Andjela

Written By Anđela Rajković

Certified Sleep Consultant

dust-mites-fi

14 June 2024 7 min read

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could live in a home without any allergens? Well, although that may be virtually impossible, we can help you to deal with some of them.

If you’re someone that struggles with constant allergies and you can’t seem to pinpoint what’s that all about – the problem may be lying in your bed. Learning how to get rid of dust mites is something that will help you tremendously, both immediately and in the long run. However, it’s not something that’s easily achievable, so we’ve decided to help you out and guide you through the extermination process towards a better life. On that note, there are some things you’ll need along the way.

Materials and tools

Most of you will have some of these lying around the household. In case you don’t, here’s a list of the most important ones that you might wish to obtain.

STEP 1: Use allergen-proof bed covers

Dust mites simply love to feast on the dead skin cells we shed. As you might've guessed, most of that skin can be found in our beds. Now, for those of you who are allergic to these pests, the first line of defence would be to get hypoallergenic bed covers and at least get them out of your sheets.

When you go out looking for a brand new, allergen-proof bed cover, make sure you choose a waterproof one, as these tiny little pests enjoy damp surroundings more than they like biting you while you sleep.

STEP 2: Wash your bedding on a weekly basis

A woman putting on Clean bedding

Purchasing a new pair of sheets will not be enough, however. Just like any other sheets, you need to keep them clean as well. A great way to keep the bedding fresh and clean is to use anti-allergen laundry detergent. Even though hot water and regular detergent do a good job cleaning your sheets, an extra layer of protection never hurt anybody – except bed bugs. On that note, washing and changing your sheets once a week should do the trick. If you wish to do it more often, feel free – it can’t hurt.

STEP 3: Make sure to keep the humidity at the low level

As we have previously mentioned, house mites thrive in damp conditions, so another keen way to make them disappear is to dehumidify the space. Not only will a dehumidifier make the world a living hell for those annoying pests but it will also improve the quality of your sleep, and more importantly life, in case you’re dealing with allergies. It is well known that humid conditions aren’t quite easy on your sinuses. On that note, you can find more interesting tips and tricks on how to sleep better when dealing with allergies so we suggest you take a look.

STEP 4: Remove any dust

Cleaning your home only when you notice dust build-up is not the move here. Dusty places around your house are basically Disneyland for annoying pests that cause you irritation, trouble sleeping, runny nose and frequent sneezing. We understand that you can’t spend your whole day cleaning dust, but a regular dusting wiping session will benefit you more than you can possibly imagine. One thing to keep in mind though is, don’t vacuum dusty surfaces as you’ll only create enough airflow for it to spread across your whole house – instead, use a damp wipe.

STEP 5: Have a filter in your furnace/AC unit

AC with a filter on a white wall

Many are unaware of this, but one of the main culprits for spreading dust particles and causing a dust allergy might just be your A/C unit. Not only do they create enough airflow for dust mites to move around freely, but they can also spread various germs and bacteria as well. All kinds of bacteria and dust, including mites, can build up within the air-duct of an A/C unit. Those then get spread across the room once you turn the A/C on. You have to use an air filter to stop that from happening. Additionally, you will have to wash and/or replace the filter occasionally.

STEP 6: Clean & vacuum your house regularly

Aside from removing visible dust, you have to clean your house regularly if you want to get rid of these pests. Cleaning and vacuuming your house is the least you can do. If you want to do more, however, get a vacuum with a HEPA filter, so you can be sure every harmful particle will be trapped within the vacuum. Additionally, cleaning your mattress, curtains or other surfaces with a steam cleaner will also remove a large portion of the house mites.

STEP 7: Lower the house temperature

lowering radiator temperature

You may not like this one if you're someone that gets cold frequently, but lowering the temperature in your home can help your dust mite problem significantly. Unlike you, they can't survive too long in a cold environment, so turning the thermostat the other way might not be such a bad idea. This is especially true when it comes to the bedroom, because, as you know, that's where the dust mite bites occur. So, turn down the temperature and don’t let the bed bugs bite you!

STEP 8: Groom your pets regularly

Having a pet is a wonderful thing – we all love them. Unfortunately, the mites do, too. For that, and many other reasons, as well, you should groom your pets regularly. A weekly bath is the least you can do for your pet. Give them a bath, dry them off and leave them be. Additionally, although we know it must feel great, don't share your bed with your pets – especially if you're allergy-prone. Nothing against these lovely animals, but dust mites and all sorts of other allergens tend to linger in your pet’s fur – even after a thorough bath.

STEP 9: Use mattress and pillow covers

Quality, hypoallergenic covers will not only significantly improve your sleeping experience, but they'll ensure that you're the only one sleeping in the bed that night. Now, you might not want to give up your silk sheets, which is understandable, but the good news is – you don't have to. Using a pillow or mattress covers under the sheets is more than enough to make sure there aren't any dust mites in your bed. Aside from hypoallergenic properties, a quality mattress cover can improve the comfort of your bed as well.

STEP 10: Ensure a regular and good ventilation in your home

Good airflow and a fresh batch of air are all you need sometimes. The air that's been trapped in a room for quite some time can become quite damp and stale, which we already established is what the dust mites want. On that note, the proper and regular ventilation of your home can be your greatest ally in the fight against these tiny, little monsters. If you don’t have a ventilation system, don’t worry – opening up a window is just as effective, if not more. 

In addition, equipping your home with an air purifier is going to improve your overall air quality and therefore reduce the possibility for getting mites and allergens within your home. You might have problems with humidity as well, where high quality air dehumidifiers comes in to solve the problem.

Wrapping up

Now, we can’t guarantee that you will get rid of all the house mites in your home – nobody can, that’s impossible. However, if you do follow our simple guide, we can guarantee that you will be living in a much better and healthier environment as all of these methods have been proven both true and effective. In addition, you can perform mattress deep cleaning every once in a while to make sure you keep it fresh and clean all the time. Hopefully, you take our advice, get some new sheets, adopt some new habits and eventually see for yourself what it’s like to live in a world without dust mites.

Spread the word

Comments (0)

There are no comments yet

About the author

Anđela Rajković
As a CPD certified Sleep Consultant and well-practiced sleep enthusiast, I find a lot of joy in bringing my expertise to our readers – preferably those who love to sleep. With a background in the English language and literature and a love of research, I'm always seeking new ways to share the latest sleep science and bed-related findings. And, when I'm not connecting with my readers, you can find me exploring the great outdoors, or, well, curling up in bed.
Related Posts

More Guides for a great night's sleep

fall-asleep-faster-fi
13 June 2024

How to fall asleep faster with these 7 tricks

We often binge watch an entire show in one evening, or get stuck working until late at night, staring at the computer. Some have some urgen...
Featured image for how to cool down your room
29 March 2024

How to Cool Down a Room

Firstly, let's talk about a few ways that you can make warm air vacate the premises, leaving a much nicer, colder room behind. After all, if...
Don't Miss Out!
Get the latest reviews, special offers, new releases and more…
@thesleepadvisors
'The Luxe Cooling Mattress' by @emmasleepuk  is award-winning!

Tried and Tested by The Sleep Advisors, we've awarded them the 'Best Mattress for Side Sleepers'🏆

Click the link in the bio for more 📖🥸

#thesleepadvisorsuk #awardwinningmattress #emmasleepuk  #mattressreviews
'Award Winning Softness' by @hypniauk 

Tried and Tested by The Sleep Advisors, we've awarded them the 'Best Soft Mattress'🏆

Click the link in bio to read the full review 📖🥸

#thesleepadvisorsuk #awardwinningmattress #hypnia #mattressreviews

#
The Sleep Advisors cover all the benefits of Panda Products 🐼🐼

Click the link in the bio for more🔗

#ɪɴsᴛᴀʀᴇᴇʟs #instareelsdaily #PandaMattress #thesleepadvisorsuk
The awards continue! @silentnightbeds 'Just Breathe Eco Comfort' receives one today 🥳

Tried and Tested by The Sleep Advisors, we've awarded them the 'Best Pocket Sprung Mattress'🏆

#thesleepadvisors #silentnightbeds #thesleepadvisors #comfortmattress
Details are key for TheSleepAdvisors... especially for those close-ups 👁

We look at every nook and cranky to capture every detail when reviewing mattress and bedding🎥

For our Latest reviews head over to our website via the link in the bio 🔗

#thesleepadvisors #mattressreview #thesleepadvisorsuk
If you want Luxury check out @nectarsleep Premier Hybrid Mattress!😎

Tried and Tested by The Sleep Advisors, we've awarded them the 'Best Luxury Mattress'🏆

Click the link in bio to read the full review 📖🥸

#thesleepadvisorsuk #awardwinningmattress #nectarsleep #mattressreviews
We know how hard it is to find the best mattress online!🧐

Don't worry, The Sleep Advisors are here to solve your problem and it has never been easier to compare mattresses thanks to our Mattress Comparison Tool!

Click the Link in our bio to find the mattress brand that suits your individual needs 🤩
For all your bedding needs, TheSleepAdvisors have you covered! 😁

From Price to Quality, we look at all aspects to enable you to make the best purchase for your needs.

#ɪɴsᴛᴀʀᴇᴇʟs #instareels #sleepadvisorsuk #BeddingEssentials #TheSleepAdvisors
Sent an embarrassing text? Just say you were asleep 😆

Turns out, our brains can get so wired even while catching Z's that we end up sending messages without even waking up! 

 #funfacts #sleepadvisors #TheSleepAdvisors  #DidYouKnow #DidYouKnowThis
Mattress Toppers are key! 🔑  They can bring your mattress to life. Want to learn more? 

The Sleep Advisors have got you covered!😎

#ɪɴsᴛᴀʀᴇᴇʟs #instareelsdaily #instareels #sleepadvisorsuk #reelsofinstagram #MATTRESSTOPPERS
Close button

Don't Miss Out!

Get the latest reviews, special offers, new releases and more…

By submitting this form, you are opting into our mailing lists.
See our privacy policy.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.