How to get rid of dust mites
And prevent them from coming back.
What are dust mites?
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed off human skin scales. They thrive in humid conditions, and they’re one of the most common allergen triggers of asthma. Dust mites can become airborne after cleaning activities such as vacuuming and dusting.
Where can dust mites be found?
Anywhere that’s damp and warm, such as bedding, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, soft toys and clothing.
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How can you get reduce dust mites in your home?
Bedding and soft toys
- Kill dust mites and get rid of the allergen they produce by washing bedding at 55 degrees celsius or hotter.
- Alternatively, wash in cold water and add tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil. Hot tumble dry for at least 10 minutes after it’s dry.
- Hang out to dry in the sun.
- In between washing, pull back the bedding every morning and allow it to air. Pull back blinds or curtains to allow sunshine in.
- Vacuum your mattress once a month using the upholstery tool.
- Allergy-free mattress and pillow protectors can help, too.
Carpets
- Vacuum weekly using a HEPA filter. If you have asthma yourself, get someone else to vacuum and leave the room for at least 20 minutes, as vacuuming stirs up the dust mite allergen.
Around the house
Use a damp or an electrostatic cloth to dust, including hard floors. Avoid feather dusters which can make the allergen airborne.
Soft toys
Wash regularly in water at 55 degrees celcius or hotter.
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Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
Rebecca Lowrey Boyd is a former magazine editor and the founder of Wee Birdy, one of The Sunday Times’ Top 50 Blogs in the World. A design nerd and bird enthusiast, she can usually be found poring over Pinterest, knee-deep in Bunnings or sticky-beaking at modernist homes in Sydney’s bushburbia.
