This article was co-authored by Kadi Dulude. Kadi Dulude is a House Cleaning Professional and the Owner of Wizard of Homes, a New York City-based cleaning company. Kadi has over 10 years of experience and manages a team of over 90 registered cleaning professionals. Her cleaning advice has been featured in Architectural Digest and New York Magazine.
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The best way to remove dust mites from your home is by steam cleaning carpets and furniture, and regularly removing dust with a damp mop or rag. You should also wash your bedding weekly in hot water to kill dust mites, especially if you struggle with allergies. Keeping the humidity level in your home below 50% will also help keep dust mite populations at bay.
If you're not sure whether you have dust mites, see How to Know if You Have Dust Mites to help you decide.
Steps
Controlling Dust Mites
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1Wash your bedding weekly with hot water. Once a week wash all of your bedding in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 55 degrees Celsius. The hot water will kill any dust mites that might be living on your bedding.[1]
- If you have wool or feathered bedding that cannot be washed, replace it with synthetic items that are machine washable.
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2Remove dust with a damp mop or rag. Making sure your house is as dust-free as possible will help you keep dust mite populations at bay. Dry mopping or cleaning with a dry rag will only stir up dust and other allergens. Instead use a wet mop or rag to remove dust from your home.[2]
- Dust and mop your home at least once per week.
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3Steam clean carpets and furniture. Dry vacuuming will not pick up dust mites from your carpets. Whenever possible, steam clean the carpets in your home. The heat from the steam will kill the dust mites, making steam cleaning a highly effective method.[3]
- Steam clean your carpets and furniture at least 3 times per year.
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4Vacuum with a HEPA filter or double-layered microfilter bag. Try using a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. You can also use a vacuum with a double-layered microfilter bag. These types of filters trap particles that might otherwise pass through a vacuum cleaner's exhaust.[4]
- Vacuum your home weekly, or more often in high traffic areas.
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5Exercise caution with chemicals. Ascaricides are a type of chemical that is sometimes used to kill dust mites. Many experts, however, argue chemicals are not effective enough to justify the expense and hassle of using them.[5]
Preventing Dust Mites
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1Keep the humidity level in your house below 50%. Dust mites thrive in places with humidity levels higher than 50%. You can help keep dust mite populations at bay by making sure you monitor your home's humidity level.[6]
- Try installing a humidity monitoring device in your home, such as a hygrometer.
- Consider using a dehumidifier or running the air conditioner to help control humidity levels.
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2Let the sun shine in. Sunlight can help keep dust mite populations at bay. Keep your curtains and windows open. You can also hang bedding or place furniture outside to expose it to sunlight.[7]
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3Replace wall-to-wall carpets. Carpet is a breeding ground for dust mites. If possible, replace wall-to-wall carpets with bare floors. For example, you can remove the carpet from your child's bedroom and replace it with linoleum, tile, or wood.[8]
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4Put dust-proof covers on your mattress and pillows. Using protective covers on your mattress and pillows can help you limit your contact with dust mites. Choose covers that are allergen proof. Make sure you launder the covers frequently.[9]
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5Avoid upholstered furniture. You can help control dust mites in your home by removing upholstered furniture. Instead of upholstered furniture, opt for furniture made from wood, plastic, leather, or vinyl. These materials can be easily and frequently wiped down to prevent the accumulation of dust.
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6Opt for washable curtains. Heavy draperies can be difficult to clean and can harbor dust mite populations. Choose curtains made from washable materials, like cotton, and make sure you launder them at least several times each year.
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7Choose rugs you can easily clean. Go for smaller rugs that can be easily laundered. For example, choose several small rugs made of cotton or a synthetic material that can be thrown in a washing machine. Avoid large area rugs that are difficult to clean.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I make sure I don't have any dust mites in my duvet?
Kadi DuludeKadi Dulude is a House Cleaning Professional and the Owner of Wizard of Homes, a New York City-based cleaning company. Kadi has over 10 years of experience and manages a team of over 90 registered cleaning professionals. Her cleaning advice has been featured in Architectural Digest and New York Magazine.
House Cleaning ProfessionalSpritz the duvet with white vinegar and then throw it in the dryer. That will kill any dust mites trying to hide out in there.
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References
- ↑ https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/allergens/dustmites/
- ↑ https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/allergens/dustmites/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8581838
- ↑ https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/allergens/dustmites/
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/tc/controlling-dust-dust-mites-and-other-allergens-in-your-home-topic-overview#2
- ↑ https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/allergens/dustmites/
- ↑ https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/10-ways-to-deal-with-dust-mites-and-get-real-allergy-relief
- ↑ https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/allergens/dustmites/
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/tc/controlling-dust-dust-mites-and-other-allergens-in-your-home-topic-overview#2
About This Article
To clean dust mites, dust your home once a week using a wet rag or mop, which will trap the dust instead of stirring it up into the air. You should also wash your bedding in hot water once a week to kill any dust mites that are on it. Also, get a HEPA filter for your vacuum, which will trap dust so it doesn't pass through your vacuum's exhaust, and vacuum your home at least once a week. However, to actually kill the dust mites on your furniture and carpets, you'll need to steam clean them at least 3 times a year. To learn how to prevent dust mites, scroll down!
