How To Get Rid Of Dust Mites In The Home

All sorts of little bugs can find their way into your home. Dust mites are one microscopic pest you can’t even see without a microscope. But don’t be fooled by their size — these tiny mites can cause very large problems in your home. This is why you must do all you can to get rid of dust mites and ensure they never return.

To get rid of dust mites in your home, you must first thoroughly wash all bedding, blankets, pillow covers, and couch cushions. Consider getting rid of old rugs and carpets and replacing them with washable rugs. Buy a mattress cover for your bed, decrease the humidity in your home, and dust regularly. Get rid of clutter in your house, and buy bedding that won’t attract dust mites.

If you have itchy skin, watery eyes, and other allergy symptoms when you are in your bed or on your couch, dust mites could be to blame. Once you diagnose that the problem is dust mites, you must do all you can to eradicate them from your home. Below is a list of all the ways to get rid of dust mites, as well as how to prevent them from entering your home moving forward.

What Are Dust Mites And Why Are They Bad?

Dust mites are microscopic insect-like pests that are related to ticks. They feed off dust, and mostly live off dead skin cells. Since their diet of choice is dead skin, they are most commonly found where you spend the most time, like your bed and couch. 

Unlike harmless microscopic organisms, of which there are many, dust mites can cause some real health issues. You can have itchy skin, irritated eyes, a runny nose, and other severe allergy symptoms, especially if you are particularly allergic to them. 

Dust mites can quickly multiply, which only makes symptoms intensify. The last thing you want is a bunch of allergy triggers when you lie down to go to sleep. This is why you need to do all you can to get dust mites out of your home for good.

Seven Methods To Get Rid Of Dust Mites In Your Home

1. Wash All Your Bedding

Washing your bed linen and blankets you have around the home is the first and most effective step to reducing dust mites in your home, and getting rid of the symptoms they bring. Dust mites will usually disappear when you wash your clothing in a washing machine and then put them in the dryer. They hate the cold, and high heat can also kill them, so both temperatures will get rid of them.

If your laundry has a disinfecting setting or a longer rinse and wash cycle, opt for this cycle when washing clothes with dust mites. Once your linen is clean, you can focus on other places where dust mites may be living.

2. Deep Clean Couches And Cushions 

Your bed isn’t the only place where dust mites can feed off dead skin cells. Anywhere that you spend lots of time will have dead skin and dust, and is therefore an ideal home for dust mites. Couches, throw pillows, and throw blankets can all become a breeding ground for dust mites.

Clean your couches and remove cushion covers, and wash them if possible. Wash your throw pillows and blankets, and then deep clean your couch. Lysol can kill dust mites, as can other household cleaners.

3. Declutter Your Home

Since dust mites like to live in undisturbed dusty areas, it’s smart to get rid of as many of these spots as possible. One great way to reduce dust in your home is to get rid of clutter, especially the kind that dust clings to. 

If you have mountains of blankets or buckets of toys, consider downsizing. Anything that is gathering dust that you don’t need, get rid of it or put it in storage. Opting for a clean and minimalist aesthetic will help remove all desirable living locations for dust mites.

4. Get Rid Of Old Carpets And Rugs

Carpets and rugs are other areas where dust mites can thrive, especially if you aren’t diligent about vacuuming. Carpets and rugs are magnets for dust, and old carpets can be particularly well-suited dwellings for dust mites.

If you need an excuse to rip up your carpets or get new rugs, then let your dust mite issue be the excuse you need to make this change.

5. Use A Dehumidifier To Keep Your Home Dry 

Dust mites hate the cold and love dry weather. While you don’t want your home and pipes to freeze, you can certainly make your home dry. If your home is moist, then you are creating an ideal environment for your dust mites. 

Buy a dehumidifier or find other ways to reduce the humidity levels in your home. This can help reduce mold and other issues with humidity. It will also make your home far less desirable for dust mites.

Eight Ways To Prevent Dust Mites In The Home Moving Forward 

1. Cover Your Mattress

Since dust mites primarily love living in your bed and bedding, a mattress cover is a fantastic way to keep them away. Buy a mattress cover that is proven to keep pests like bed bugs and other tiny bugs out.

Not only will this keep dust mites out of your mattress, but it will reduce the risk of bed bugs, and it will even allow you to wait longer before you buy a new bed.

2. Buy The Right Bed Linen

Ensure you buy bed linen that repels dust. Some blanket materials, like fleece, velvet, and man-made synthetic linen, can attract dust and have lots of static cling. Use materials that are breathable and don’t have much static cling.

3. Wash Your Sheets More Frequently

Once you have the right bedding, you should next establish a routine for washing your bedding. You should wash your bedding at least once a week. If you recently had a dust mite issue, consider washing it even more frequently. This will ensure dust mites don’t have long enough to get comfortable before they are washed away.

4. Ensure Cushions, Couches, And Toys Are Washable

To keep dust mites at bay, you need to keep your cushions, pillows, and couches clean. This is easier said than done, especially when your pillows and cushion covers aren’t washable. Moving forward, only invest in washable items. Ensure your couch cushions have covers you can remove and wash, and the same goes for all throw pillows. Toys (both dog and children’s toys) should also be washable. This will keep them free of both dust mites and bacteria.

5. Dust And Clean Regularly

Since dust mites love dust and dead skin cells, one of the best ways to keep them away is to keep a very clean home. Ensure you have a regular cleaning routine that involves dusting your home from top to bottom. A clean home won’t just keep dust mites away, it will help mitigate all sorts of insect issues in your home.

6. Swap Out Carpet For Washable Rugs

Since dust mites can live in your carpets and rugs, it’s a smart idea to use washable rugs when you can. These rugs are very easy to clean, and one cycle in the wash will help get rid of any pests living in these rugs.

If you have old carpeting, consider switching to hardwood or tile floors. These are much easier to disinfect and keep free of bugs. You can always add a washable rug on top of the hard surface for comfort and aesthetics. 

Summing Up How To Get Rid Of Dust Mites In Your Home

Dust mites might be microscopic, but the problems they cause can be huge. If you are suffering from allergy symptoms caused by these tiny bugs, you’ll want to get rid of them immediately. 

Start by washing your bedding and investing in a mattress cover. Since dust mites like humidity, use a dehumidifier to lower the humidity in your home. Keep your house clean, swap out old carpet for washable rugs, and get rid of clutter that’s collecting dust.

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