Dust mites are insects that live on mattresses, furniture, carpets, and other fabrics. Dust mites feed on the dead skin that humans and pets release daily, and like warm and humid environments. The presence of these insects is often associated with respiratory health problems, triggers asthma, and other attacks related to allergies. Unfortunately, dust mites cannot be completely eradicated, but their population can be reduced by regular hygiene, protection of household items, and other methods.
Step
Method 1 of 3: House Cleaning
Step 1. Change mattress pads regularly
Most of the dead skin stays around the bed because you spend a lot of time there. Dead skin invites the arrival of dust mites and multiply allergens. You should prepare some blankets, sheets, and pillowcases to be changed several times.
Step 2. Wash the mattress pad
Wash all blankets, sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers and other mattress pads with detergent in hot water (at least 55 °C) weekly to kill dust mites and get rid of allergens. High temperature water is more effective at killing mites than just detergent. Better, all wash your curtains.
- Set the washing machine to the hottest setting. If the water is not hot enough, check your water heater. Most water heaters have a control knob to change the maximum temperature of the water.
- If you cannot wash with hot water, put it in the dryer for 15 minutes at a temperature above 54 °C to kill the dust mites. After that, wash and dry the mattress pad so that the mites are clean of allergens. You can also dry it directly in the sun.
- Use products that contain essential oils, such as eucalyptus, cypress or tea tree oil for a more effective wash.
- Use detergent and bleach to get rid of most allergens and dust mites, even using cold or warm water. Bed sheets can be washed again so that more dust mites die.
- Be aware that live dust mites can transfer from mite-free fabrics to mite-free fabrics when mixed in the washing machine.
- Hot tumble (twist clothes in the washer dryer) on dry fabrics for half an hour after drying or wash and dry fabrics to kill mites. However, this method does not remove allergens caused by dust mites from the fabric.
Step 3. Vacuum regularly
Vacuum anything that can be vacuumed, including sofas, mattresses, armchairs, floors, and other places where people usually sit or lie down. To suck up allergens effectively, the vacuum cleaner must have a dual-layer microfilter bag or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This is important because it helps ensure that the mites are not carried back into the air.
- Vacuuming cannot remove most dust mites and their allergens. Dust mites are small enough to pass through a vacuum cleaner bag. However, if the dust continues to be sucked up, the mites are reluctant to live in the area. Clean the undersides and backs of furniture to prevent the formation of “rabbit dust”.
- If you have a severe allergy, stay away from the vacuumed area and let someone else do the work. Do not enter a room that has been vacuumed for two hours so that allergens are no longer flying.
- Take care of your vacuum so that it always works optimally.
- Use a vacuum to keep the mites in the water reservoir so they can be removed and flushed down the toilet.
- You may want to wear a mask while vacuuming to avoid inhaling the allergen. Even if you don't suffer from allergies, it's a good idea to leave the house for half an hour after the vacuum is removed so that residual dust and allergens are no longer flying.
Step 4. Do steam wash regularly
Steam washing dissolves dirt, removes germs from fabric surfaces, and kills dust mites. However, the moisture that builds up in the carpet lining creates a suitable environment for dust mites. Instead, try using the dry wash method.
Step 5. Moisturize the vacuum cleaner
A duster and a dry cloth will blow allergens into the air. Use a damp or oily rag or mop or an electrostatic cloth to clean hard surfaces weekly. This will keep dust and mites from flying in the air.
Step 6. Wash blankets and stored clothes
If you are packing clothes for a transfer or preparing for winter, wash all these clothes before use. Dust mites like to live in clothes and blankets that are not used and washed because they get dusty when stored. Wash these fabrics to make sure the mites and allergens are thoroughly removed.
Method 2 of 3: Protecting the Home
Step 1. Add an allergen shield to your bedding
Wrap mattresses, bolsters, and pillows in dust-proof, anti-allergenic covers sold at bed linen stores or supermarkets. These covers are made of tightly sewn and anti-allergen fabric that prevents the ingestion and escape of dust mites. You are most exposed to mites and their droppings in bed. Therefore, mattresses and pillows protected by this cover will solve this problem.
Mattresses wrapped in hypoallergenic sheets are protected from the build-up of human dead skin flakes. These sheets are usually also waterproof
Step 2. Use synthetic fabric
Replace feather pillows with synthetic filled pillows. Also, replace wool blankets with nylon or cotton cellulose. Memory foam mattresses are supposed to create an environment that dust mites don't like. Consider replacing the mattress with memory foam.
Step 3. Replace your floor mat
Carpets are a haven for dust mites, especially if they are on cement, which retains moisture and provides an ideal environment for dust mites. Pick up rugs to help reduce dust mite allergies, especially in the bedroom. Replace with open flooring, such as linoleum, tile, vinyl, wood, or anti-allergenic carpet.
- Also, pick up furniture that collects dust, such as fabric curtains, horizontal blinds, and upholstered furniture.
- Don't forget to remove all carpets and mattresses from the house because dust mites live there too.
- Empty floors can be cleaned with a wet mop or electrostatic cloth.
Step 4. Use tannic acid
Tannic acid neutralizes allergens from dust mites naturally. Tannic acid powder can be purchased at pharmacies or health food stores. Sprinkle over mattresses, sofas, pet beds, and other dust mite nests to reduce the impact of allergens. You can also make a tannic acid solution by mixing one cup of diluted tea with 3.8 liters of water. Spray the solution onto the carpet and vacuum it 3 hours later.
Step 5. Subtract the doll
Reduce the child's dolls to just one or two. Give your child washable plastic toys or dolls. If you have a doll that can be washed, use hot water and dry it thoroughly. Do it as often as possible.
- Don't put the doll on the bed.
- Put all non-washable toys in the freezer once every two weeks to kill the dust mites living inside.
Step 6. Try not to sleep on the couch
This will invite more mites because your dead skin will fall on the sofa a lot. Sofas tend to be more difficult to protect from mites than beds. It's best to sleep in a bed that has been protected by anti-allergen and anti-mite sheets.
Step 7. Don't make your bed
That's right, now you have an excuse not to make your bed after getting up in the morning! If left unchecked, the sheets will be exposed to the air and aerate and release moisture into the air. Thus, the number of dust mites will be drastically reduced.
Method 3 of 3: Using Other Methods
Step 1. Increase the airflow of your home
Open windows and doors so that fresh air circulation in your home is good. Good circulation will reduce humidity, which will help remove dust and allergens outside the house, thereby reducing the population of dust mites.
Step 2. Use direct sunlight
Sunlight kills dust mites. Dry bedding, clothes, and other furniture outside so that they are exposed to direct sunlight. Ventilate blankets, carpets, and heavy sheets outside as often as possible. Open the curtains and blinds so that sunlight can enter the house.
Step 3. Tidy up your home
excess items in the bedroom, such as books, magazines, clothes baskets, small ornaments, toys and piles of clothes make the room difficult to clean making it ideal for dust mites. It's easy, if dust can accumulate, dust mites will nest there a lot. Try to design a minimalist bedroom.
Step 4. Reduce humidity
Dust mites like moist environments because they absorb water from the atmosphere. Avoid humidity and use a dryer or air conditioner to keep humidity above 50%. You can buy a hygrometer at a hardware store to measure the humidity in your home so you can control it.
Step 5. Control the temperature of the house
Dust mites live in temperatures between 18-29°C and humidity levels above 50%. To reduce the dust mite population, set the house temperature below 21°C or more.
Step 6. Install the filter
High-efficiency filters in fireplaces and air conditioners can help remove allergens and reduce dust mite populations. Look for a filter with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of 11 or 12 and replace the filter at least once every three months. Let the fan filter the air throughout the house.
Step 7. Use an air purifier
There are many types of air purifiers that can be attached to a central air conditioner. This tool reduces the source of irritation and food dust mites by 50-70%. However, the HEPA filter will clean 99% of mite droppings, dust, dead animal skin, pollen, cockroach droppings and other materials.
Step 8. Freeze stuff
Sheets, toys, furniture and other items that cannot be washed can be frozen to kill dust mites. Freeze for 24-48 hours. Although the dust mites will die, this method does not remove the allergen.
