6 Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites

What are dust mites? dust mites are tiny microscopic eight-legged arachnids that are hard to detect with the naked eye,  they feed on dead human skin cells that are continuously shed, dust mites will disrupt your sleep bringing discomfort, and can cause health issues, for example, asthmatic symptoms, stuffy nose, and watery eyes, it’s believed that these dust mites contribute to or influence allergies that is brought on when inhaling proteins that are found in the dust that comes from their urine, feces and even their decaying bodies.

The ideal environment for dust mites to thrive in environments that are warm and humid, particularly in bedding and mattresses, once in a mattress or bedding they are known to multiply very quickly. Dust mites will not present issues to people who are not allergic to them.  Dust mites do not bite or burrow into the skin but it is still good to periodically take measures to remove dust mites.

Dust Mite Debris

The presence of tiny brown or black specs on the mattress might be dust mite debris.

1. Use Hot Water to Wash your Bedding

Washing your bedding ( bed sheets) in extremely hot water will bring dust mites under control, high temperatures of about 140 degrees Fahrenheit will help. It’s best to give your bedding a regular weekly washing.

2. Lower the Humidity

Lowering the humidity in your bedroom can also control dust mites, dust mites are attracted to areas that are dark and humid. The use of a dehumidifier or an air purifier will help greatly.

3. Vacuum your Mattress

A handheld vacuum is ideal for dust mite control, a vacuum cleaner will suck dust mites out of your mattress or if it’s in your budget then why not invest in a UV Light Vacuum. A UV  Light Vacuum will help with deep cleaning your mattress by helping to sanitize and disinfect the surface of your mattress. UV-C  is a type of ultraviolet that penetrates the surface of the mattress disrupting the mites’s cells bringing control.

4. Call a Professional

Note:  Consider hiring a professional company first to do the job for you.

5.  Replace Upholstery and Carpet

Carpets and upholstery can be a breathing ground to attracting dust mites, consider changing out your carpet with a hard surface floor.

6.  Air Purifiers

The use of air purifiers is a great tool that will help in improving air quality and reducing allergens, air purifiers work by capturing airborne particles, for example capturing dust mite allergens through fine filters.

Dust Mite Symptoms

Here are a few signs that dose mites may be affecting your allergies.

• Coughing
• Watery eyes
• Skin issues
• Server asthma attack
• Sneezing
• Breathing problems
• Runny nose
• Itchy throat
• Sore throat

How to Prevent Dust Mites from Living in Your Mattress

There is a common saying that “prevention is better than cure” We ought to be proactive, not reactive when it comes to dust mite control, here are some steps to take to prevent dust mites.

Dust Mite Cover: Covering your mattress with plastic will discourage dust mites.

Stuff Animals: This is an all too common one that I have witnessed so many times and that is a bed that has lots of stuffed animals, even though you may think that it looks so cozy with all of those cute stuffed animals. The sad reality is these animals will attract dust mites, especially if from time to time these stuffed animals make contact with the floor.

The Benefits of a Wood or Bed Frame: Invest in and take advantage of these frame types because dust mites cannot live in these frames.

The Benefits of Using Hot Water: Washing your sheets with hot water every time you do the laundry is so important because the heat will kill these mites.

Remove Drapes: The removal of heavy drapes and wall-to-wall carpet from your bedroom will help to reduce dust levels.

The Use of Dust Mite Spray: The use of dust mite spray along with following these other steps mentioned can and will bring dust mite control.

Cleaning Schedule for your Mattress: Cleaning your mattress several times a year will help to bring dust mite control, or even prevent dust mites. I would say give your mattress a cleaning twice every three months. To accomplish this, use a stiff brush to scrub the seams for bed bugs and their eggs, once that’s done use a vacuum on the bed frame, box spring, footboard, headboard, mattress, and pillows.

Allow the Bedding to Air: Allowing your bed to air out and dry each morning for a few minutes before making it up will help with dust mite control.

A Bonus Point Just for You

Bedding has an expiry date and should be disposed of and replaced, for example, after years of being used bedding can become worn and torn.  Pillows, blankets, comforters, toppers, and duvets.

Conclusion

It may seem like lots of work but the good news is with the invested time these proven methods will help bring dust mites under control or better yet assist with the prevention of these mites. Put an end to these mites that have invaded your home making life so uncomfortable. You will be so happy with the results as you win the war on dust mites. Be proactive, not reactive because prevention is so much better than cure.