How To Get Rid Of Dust And Dust Mites - Oh So Spotless

Dust mites are the uninvited guests that never leave. They are microscopic, hungry, and likely living in your pillow right now. While they don’t bite, these tiny arachnids are a leading cause of year-round allergies and asthma issues.

Getting rid of them is tough, but not impossible. You don’t need to burn your furniture to find relief. We are here to clear up the confusion, bust a few myths, and show you exactly how to kick these pests to the curb.

Key Takeaways

• Know your enemy: Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that feed on dead skin and thrive in humid, dark environments like mattresses.
• Control the air: Keeping indoor humidity below 50 percent is the most effective way to slow mite reproduction.
• Clean with heat: Wash bedding weekly in hot water (at least 130°F) and use a steam cleaner on carpets to kill mites instantly.
• Filter them out: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap allergens rather than blowing them back into the air.

In This Article

• What Are Dust Mites?
• Dust Mite Dangers
• How to Get Rid of Dust Mites
• Naturally Kill Dust Mites
• Dust Mite Myths
• Keep Dust Mites Away
• FAQs
• Winning the War on Mites

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites might act like tiny bugs, but they are actually closer relatives to spiders and ticks. You cannot see them with the naked eye; they are only about one-quarter to one-third of a millimeter in size.

They love dark, fibrous areas. You will typically find them partying in mattresses, upholstery, carpets, curtains, and stuffed animals (1).

Why do they hang out there? It comes down to food. Dust mites feed on the dead skin flakes humans and pets shed daily. Unlike bed bugs, which drink blood, dust mites just want your leftovers.

We shed a massive amount of skin while we sleep and move around the house. This creates an endless buffet for mites.

Eliminating them completely is nearly impossible. As long as you have a home with humidity and humans, you will have mites. However, you can drastically reduce their population to stop allergic reactions.

Dangers of Dust Mites

Despite being microscopic, these pests pack a punch. They don’t carry diseases like ticks or mosquitoes, but they are a major trigger for allergic reactions and asthma.

The problem isn’t just the live mites; it is a protein found in their waste and decaying body parts that causes the reaction.

Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy

When you have an allergy, your immune system mistakes a harmless substance (like mite protein) for a dangerous invader (2). It produces antibodies to fight it off, causing inflammation in your nose or lungs.

If you are reacting to the dust in your home, you might experience:

• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Sneezing fits.
• Postnasal drip.
• Red, itchy, or watery eyes.
• Itchy nose, mouth, or throat.
• Coughing.
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes.
• Itchy skin or eczema flare-ups.

For those with asthma, dust mites can be dangerous. Exposure can trigger:

• Chest tightness or pain.
• Audible wheezing when exhaling.
• Trouble sleeping due to shortness of breath (3).

Keep in mind that the “dust” in your home is mostly mite waste and dead bodies. When you sweep or vacuum without a good filter, you launch that debris into the air and inhale it.

Who is most at risk?

• Children: Early exposure to high levels of mites increases the risk of developing an allergy.
• Genetic Lottery: If your parents have allergies, you are more likely to have them too.
• Chronic Conditions: Those with existing asthma or sinus issues are more susceptible to complications like sinus infections or severe asthma attacks (4).

Identifying Dust Mite Allergy

Having a runny nose doesn’t guarantee you have a mite allergy. If symptoms persist year-round, especially when you are in bed or cleaning, you should see a doctor.

They typically use two methods to confirm the culprit:

• Skin Prick Test (SPT): A doctor pricks your skin with a tiny drop of the allergen. If you are allergic, a red, itchy bump (hive) appears within 20 minutes (5).
• Specific IgE Blood Test: If you have a skin condition or take certain meds, skin testing might not work. Instead, a blood test measures specific antibodies to see if your immune system is fighting dust mites (6).

Do Dust Mites Bite?

No, dust mites do not bite. They lack the mouthparts to pierce skin.

If you wake up with itchy red welts, you are likely dealing with bed bugs, fleas, or a skin reaction to the allergen itself (7).

To manage the reaction, doctors often suggest:

• Antihistamines: Over-the-counter options like Zyrtec or Claritin block the chemical that causes itching and sneezing.
• Decongestants: These help clear a stuffy nose or sinus pressure.
• Nasal Corticosteroids: Sprays that reduce inflammation in the nose.
• Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots): A long-term treatment where you receive small injections of the allergen to build up immunity (8).

Can Dust Mites Live In Your Hair?

Dust mites do not live in human hair. They prefer your pillow. However, a different critter called the follicle mite (Demodex folliculorum) does live in hair follicles, particularly around eyebrows and eyelashes. They feed on oil glands, not dead skin flakes (9).

How to Get Rid of Dust and Dust Mites

Prevention is your best weapon. You can’t just kill them once; you have to change the environment so they can’t survive.

Here is how to tackle every zone in your house.

Air Control

Lower the Humidity

This is the single most important step. Dust mites do not drink water; they absorb moisture from the air. If the relative humidity drops below 50 percent, they dry out and die.

Use a dehumidifier to keep your home between 35 and 50 percent humidity. We recommend getting a digital hygrometer (humidity monitor) like the ThermoPro to keep an eye on the levels.

Adjust the Temperature

Mites love it warm (between 68°F and 77°F). Keeping your home a little cooler slows down their breeding cycle. It won’t kill them instantly, but it helps.

Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are great for capturing airborne allergens, but they have limits. Dust mites don’t fly; they settle on surfaces. A purifier helps capture the particles kicked up while you clean.

Ensure your unit has a True HEPA filter, which captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. The Whirlpool Whispure is a solid choice.

Pro Tip

An air purifier helps with symptoms, but it does not remove the source. You still have to wash your sheets.

Floors

Vacuum with HEPA

Standard vacuums often suck up dust and blow microscopic allergens right back out the exhaust. You need a sealed vacuum with a HEPA filter.

If you have carpets, use a vacuum with a beater bar (brush roll) to vibrate the fibers and loosen the dust. For hard floors, use a suction-only setting to avoid scattering debris.

Mopping

Vacuuming doesn’t get everything. Follow up on hard floors with a damp microfiber mop. Avoid dry sweeping, which just launches dust into the air.

Steam Cleaning

If you have wall-to-wall carpet, rent a steam cleaner periodically. The heat is lethal to mites. Just ensure the carpet dries quickly; leaving it damp promotes mold and more mites.

Furniture

Upholstery Maintenance

Fabric couches are dust magnets. Vacuum them weekly using the upholstery tool and a crevice tool to get deep into the cracks. Leather or vinyl furniture is much better for allergy sufferers because mites can’t burrow inside and can be easily wiped down.

Steam It Out

Use a handheld steam cleaner on your sofa and mattress surface. The steam penetrates the fabric and kills mites on contact.

Dusting Surfaces

Forget the feather duster. Use a damp microfiber cloth to trap dust on tables and shelves. If you use a dry cloth, you are just moving the dust from the table to your nose.

Bedding

Wash Weekly in Hot Water

This is non-negotiable. Wash all sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers at least once a week. The water temperature must be 130°F (54°C) or higher to kill the mites. Cold water cleans the fabric but leaves the mites alive.

Freeze Non-Washables

Have a delicate pillow or a child’s special blanket? Seal it in a bag and put it in the freezer for 24 hours. The cold kills the mites. Afterward, wash it on a gentle cycle to remove the allergens.

Protective Covers

Invest in “dust mite-proof” or “allergen-impermeable” zippered covers for your mattress, box spring, and pillows. These have a weave so tight that mites cannot get in or out.

Curtains and Blinds

Heavy drapes collect dust like crazy. Replace them with roller shades or easy-to-clean blinds if possible.

If you keep the curtains, wash them regularly in hot water. For blinds, use the “tong hack”: wrap damp microfiber cloths around kitchen tongs and clamp down on each slat to wipe both sides at once.

Stuffed Animals

Stuffed toys are mite hotels. To keep them safe for kids:

• Wash them: Check the label, then wash in hot water if allowed.
• Freeze them: 24 hours in a sealed bag in the freezer works wonders.
• Steam them: Use a garment steamer to sanitize the surface.

Pet Areas

Your pets contribute to the problem by shedding dander, which feeds the mites. Wash pet bedding weekly in hot water. If the bed has a removable cover, wash it; if not, you might need to replace the whole bed periodically or switch to a bed with a wipeable surface.

Natural Ways to Kill Dust Mites

Chemicals aren’t always necessary. You can fight back with ingredients you likely have in your pantry.

Just remember: Killing the mite doesn’t remove the allergen. You still have to vacuum up the mess afterward.

• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Oil: These essential oils have anti-bacterial and pest-repelling properties. Mix two tablespoons of oil with two cups of distilled water in a dark spray bottle. Mist it over bedding or carpets. Note: Tea tree oil is toxic to cats and dogs, so skip this if you have furry friends. (10).
• Diatomaceous Earth (DE): This is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. It acts like microscopic glass shards that pierce the mites’ exoskeletons, dehydrating and killing them. Sprinkle food-grade DE on carpets, wait a few hours (or overnight), and vacuum thoroughly (11).
• Rubbing Alcohol: Highly effective for hard surfaces. It kills mites on contact. However, it evaporates quickly and isn’t practical for treating entire carpets.

Dust Mite Myths: Fact vs. Fiction

Internet hacks can be misleading. Let’s see what actually works.

Does Lysol Kill Dust Mites?

Yes. Lysol contains ethanol and other ingredients that can kill dust mites on contact (12). However, spraying your whole bed with Lysol isn’t the best idea for your skin/lungs, and it doesn’t remove the dead mite bodies that cause allergies.

Does Salt Kill Dust Mites?

Technically yes. Salt draws moisture out of the environment. If you used enough of it, it could dehydrate mites. However, sprinkling salt on your carpet is messy and generally ineffective compared to using a dehumidifier.

Does Baking Soda Kill Dust Mites?

No. Baking soda is great for absorbing odors and moisture, but it does not kill mites. It can help freshen up a mattress, but don’t expect it to end an infestation.

Does Vinegar Kill Dust Mites?

Mostly no. Vinegar is acidic and creates an environment mites dislike, but it is not a reliable killer. It works better as a cleaner to wipe away hard surfaces where dust collects.

Does Ironing Kill Dust Mites?

Yes! The extreme heat of an iron is lethal to mites. Ironing your sheets and pillowcases after washing them is a fantastic extra step to ensure they are mite-free (13).

How to Keep Dust Mites Away

You’ve cleaned the house, now keep it that way.

• Prioritize Humidity: We cannot stress this enough. If your home stays under 50% humidity, mites struggle to survive.
• Cover Up: Zippered, allergen-proof mattress and pillow protectors are the most effective passive defense you can buy.
• Ditch the Wall-to-Wall: If you are remodeling, choose hard flooring (wood, tile, LVP) over carpet. It is much easier to keep mite-free.
• Simplify the Bed: Reduce the number of decorative pillows and heavy blankets. The less fabric, the fewer hiding spots.

FAQs

How Long Do Dust Mites Live?

Dust mites typically live for about two to four months. However, in that short time, females can lay up to 100 eggs, allowing the population to explode quickly if conditions are right.

What Time of Year are Dust Mites Worse?

Dust mites are usually worst in the summer when humidity is high. However, symptoms often flare up in the winter too, because we close our windows and turn on the heat, stirring up dust in poorly ventilated rooms.

Can Dust Mites Escape a Vacuum Cleaner?

They can’t crawl out, but they can be blown out. Standard vacuums with poor filtration often suck up dust and blast microscopic allergens back into the room. Always use a vacuum with a sealed HEPA filter.

Can You Feel Dust Mites on Your Skin?

No, dust mites are too small and light to be felt. If you feel crawling or itching, it is likely a psychological reaction, dry skin, or a different pest like fleas or bed bugs.

Can You See Dust Mites With the Naked Eye?

No. Dust mites are microscopic (about 0.2 to 0.3 mm long). They appear as mere specks of dust even under low magnification. You would need a microscope to identify them properly.

Winning the War on Mites

Dust mites might be invisible, but their impact on your health is clear.

You don’t need to sterilize your home to feel better. Focus on the big wins: lower the humidity, wash your bedding in hot water, and cover your mattress.

Consistency is key. A deep clean once a year won’t cut it. Stick to a weekly routine, use the right tools (hello, HEPA vacuum), and you can finally breathe easier in your own home.

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