Dust mites are microscopic creatures that can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions due to their excrement. It is important to take steps to get rid of these pesky creatures in order to breathe better at home in the future. While it is hard to fight something you can't see, following these tips will help reduce the amount of dust mites in your home. Washing all sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and bedspreads with hot water at a minimum temperature of 54°C (130°F) is one of the most effective ways to get rid of dust mites and eliminate allergens.
To create a barrier between you and the mattress or pillow, look for zippered covers that are labeled as dust mite-proof. De-Mite clothing additive contains tea tree oil, wintergreen oil and benzyl benzoate, which can be used to safely remove dust mites from anything that can be washed in the washing machine. To save on energy costs, use cold water when washing. Steam cleaning can also kill dust mites at 200 degrees, so try using a steam cleaner on carpets and upholstered furniture once a season.
To further reduce dust mites, combine a few drops of essential oil with baking soda and spray it on fabric surfaces. Leave it on for at least an hour before vacuuming up the baking soda residue. If you have a collection that you would like to display, consider buying a storage cabinet with a glass enclosure to help prevent dust from entering. An allergist may even recommend immunotherapy treatments using allergy shots that expose you to small amounts of dust mite proteins.
To completely get rid of dust mites, remove and wash all bedding once a week (leaving the zippered cover as a dust mite-proof force field). Cleaning carpets with steam will also kill dust mites if the vaporizer reaches at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Machine wash your bedding, pillows, and curtains with hot water to get rid of dust mites on them. De-Mite and Allergen Wash are two products that can help keep dust mites away.
In conclusion, getting rid of dust mites requires regular cleaning and taking other steps such as washing bedding with hot water, using zippered covers labeled as dust mite-proof, steam cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture once a season, spraying fabric surfaces with essential oil and baking soda, buying storage cabinets with glass enclosures, and using De-Mite or Allergen Wash products. Following these steps will help reduce the amount of dust mites in your home and improve your breathing quality.
