Wash bedding weekly. 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. Then wash and dry the bedding to remove allergens. Freezing nonwashable items for 24 hours also can kill dust mites, but this won't remove the allergens.
Wash bedding in hot water once a week
Water that is 130 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter can kill dust mites. Dry cleaning can also help rid your bedding of dust mites.
Live mites and allergen present in washed versus unwashed and washed mite-infested versus washed mite-free items were compared. Results: Washing clothing and bedding in water alone, detergent, or detergent plus bleach removed 60% to 83% of the live mites. Washing removed more mites from some items than from others.
A cold cycle of laundry washing with or without laundry powder did not remove most live mites from bedding, however, the allergen concentration (Der p I/gm fine dust) was reduced by more than 90%. Dry cleaning did not reduce the allergen concentration of the dust, although most, if not all, mites were killed.
Laboratory studies that simulated washing by using confined mites showed that bathing mites in warm water containing laundry detergents killed a significant portion of mites. 8. 9. Several studies have shown that acar-icides can be added to wash water to kill mites during washing.
Reduce Humidity: Dust mites hate dry air. Utilize dehumidifiers to maintain an environment where they cannot thrive.
Febreze Fabric Refresher Allergen Reducer minimizes up to 95% of inanimate allergens from pollen*, pet dander, and dust mite matter that can become airborne from fabrics.
Organic cotton, silk, bamboo, and Tencel are top contenders when it comes to keeping allergens like dust mites and mold at bay.
There are several methods to effectively kill and reduce the number of dust mites: High Temperatures: Washing bedding, curtains, and other fabrics in hot water (at least 130°F or 54°C) will kill dust mites. You can also use a steam cleaner on mattresses, upholstery, and carpets.
The Best Detergent for Washing Away Dust Mites
When it comes to battling dust mites, Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent, Fragrance-Free/Hypoallergenic, is your best ally.
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.
Reduce the places where dust mites can live.
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.
Signs of Dust Mites in a Mattress
Finding dust mite debris such as tiny black or brown specks on the mattress. Feeling itchy skin while you're in bed. Experiencing allergy symptoms while sleeping, such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, coughing, or breathing problems2.
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.
Most dryer sheets contain the ingredient linalool, which can be found in plants like lavender, basil, and coriander, all of which naturally repel common garden pests. Similar studies found that this ingredient is also useful for repelling bugs like mites, weevils, beetles, and German cockroaches.
Wash bedding weekly.
Then wash and dry the bedding to remove allergens. Freezing nonwashable items for 24 hours also can kill dust mites, but this won't remove the allergens.
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.
DEET treated fabric is repellent to bed bugs (Wang et al. 2013). Commercial insect repellents containing DEET for repelling ticks and biting insects are also helpful for preventing bed bugs when applied to outer surface of clothing (Figure 8).
A study found that an unmade bed could help get rid of dust mites, but some experts disagree. Dust mites thrive on high-moisture environments.
tt This product removes the following allergens: (cat dander) (cockroach debris) (cockroach matter) (cockroach particles) (dog dander) (dust mite debris) (dust mite matter) (dust mite particles) (hair) (pet dander) (pet hair) (pollen particles).
Essential oils contain compounds that repel or kill insects, including dust mites. The best essential oils for getting rid of dust mites are clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus oil. Add 20 drops of oil to four ounces of witch hazel, and spray your mattress, couch, drapes, and other dust mite hangouts.