Remove carpeting and other dust mite habitats. If possible, replace wall-to-wall bedroom carpeting with tile, wood, linoleum or vinyl flooring. Consider replacing other dust-collecting furnishings in bedrooms, such as upholstered furniture, nonwashable curtains and horizontal blinds.
Combine Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint or Rosemary oil with water in a spray bottle and spray your bed, linens, and other furniture lightly with a fine mist. Once this mixture air dries, the scent should repel dust mites.
Remove drapes and curtains. Cover mattresses and pillows with allergen encasements. Wash bedding in hot water (at least 120 degrees F) once a week. Reduce clutter, stuffed animals, and other places where dust mites live.
Reduce Humidity: Dust mites hate dry air. Utilize dehumidifiers to maintain an environment where they cannot thrive.
Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water that is at least 130 F (54.4 C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens. If bedding can't be washed hot, put the items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130 F (54.4 C) to kill the mites.
Though too small to see with the naked eye (only about . 33 millimeters long), dust mites are easily visible through even a cheap microscope. You can pick up an inexpensive microscope from any store that sells toys, a hobby store, or a thrift store and use it to discover whether your home has dust mites.
Hypoallergenic bedding made from synthetic materials tends to work in this way, as the dense weave of the material traps the dust mites.
Because dust mite particles often become airborne, using an air purifier with a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter can also help remove these and other allergens from the air. If you suffer from allergies and asthma, dust mites can be a major indoor trigger that make your symptoms worse.
House dust mites disappear when you ventilate your bedroom
However, if you keep your window open for 15 minutes, this only produces a short-lasting effect. What you actually need is a room that is ventilated throughout the day. The Healthbox 3.0 by Renson® provides many options for doing this.
Essential Oil Sprays: Certain oils like eucalyptus or tea tree oil are natural dust mite repellents. Commercial Anti-Mite Sprays: Choose sprays that are safe for use on mattresses and effective against dust mites.
There are also a number of plant extracts formulated as acaricides (a pesticide that kills mites) that exert an effect on spider mites. These include garlic extract, clove oil, mint oils, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil and others.
Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap – usually the Peppermint, but any one of them will be effective. Heat also kills dust mites, so with the combo of heat and Castile Soap, there's really little chance for survival. Bedding should be washed frequently because new mites take up residence regularly.
Control dust mites.
Avoid wall-to-wall carpet, if possible. If you must have carpet, use low-pile carpets or throw rugs you can wash. Also avoid heavy drapes and overstuffed fabric furniture. Replace drapes and blinds with roll-down shades or washable curtains.
Sleep disruption: Dust mite allergies can disrupt sleep patterns, especially if symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, and coughing are more pronounced at night. This can spill over into a long-term health risk, as poor sleep quality can have a negative impact on your overall well-being.
Air purifiers help people whose allergies are caused by dust mites, pollen, pet hair, and other airborne irritants. They do very little against allergies caused by the existence of mold, mildew, or dust mites, all of which are linked with excessive humidity and can be addressed by a dehumidifier.
General tips. Vacuum at least once a week (ideally not to be done by the person allergic to house dust mite). Damp dust the room at least once a week. If you have the allergy and have to do the vacuuming, anti-allergy vacuum cleaners with HEPA filter which do not blow out dust may be helpful.
Encasement material to stop house dust mites from entering a pillow, mattress or duvet, can be made from plastic, vapour-permeable materials, finely woven fabrics, or nonwoven synthetics. Pore size is important when considering the material.
The predators of dust mites are other allergenic mites (Cheyletiella), silverfish and pseudoscorpions.
Common Signs
Visible Dust: While the mites themselves are not visible, their droppings and dead bodies can contribute to the accumulation of fine dust particles on and around your pillow. If you notice more dust than usual despite regular cleaning, dust mites may be the culprit.
One of the best ways to get rid of dust mites is to wash all your bedding—including sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and duvet covers—on a hot cycle of at least 130 degrees. 2 If you can't wash your bedding in hot water, place it in the dryer for 15 minutes at 130 degrees.
“Make sure the vacuum you're using has a fully sealed filtration system to avoid allergens being expelled back into your face as you clean,” Lee says. Once you have the right attachment, vacuum the top and sides of the mattress, paying special attention to any folds or seams that could collect dust mites.