Dust mites are microscopic insects that are virtually impossible to eliminate in a home. Invisible to the human eye, the bugs live in bedding, some types of furniture, baseboards, and in small cracks in walls. Dust mites feed on dust, organic debris, and dead skill cells.
In the July 2009 article "Is Your Home Making You Sick?", Leah Greenbaum, staff member of the website LifeScript: Healthy Living for Women, states that "Your home actually traps airborne allergens, making symptoms worse and sometimes leading to a life-threatening condition called allergic asthma." Greenbaum quotes Kelly Stone, M.D., a staff clinician at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: "The culprits are usually things that invade your home, like dust mites, mold spores, animal dander and insect droppings."
While most home inhabitants are familiar with mold and mildew, many individuals are clueless when it comes to dust mites. Dust mites don't carry diseases, but the insects and feces can trigger serious allergy or asthma attacks. How does one get rid of dust mites?
How to Control Dust Mites
There is no way to completely rid a home of dust mites and their droppings, but steps can be taken to reduce the population – and therefore reduce the allergy symptoms caused by dust mite infestation. Check the steps below for getting rid of at least some of the dust mites in the home:
The bedroom:
- Change bed linens often. Wash sheets, pillowcases, dust ruffles, and pillow shams once a week. Spreads, quilts, comforters, and area rugs are hangouts for dust mites too, so these need a good washing at least once a month.
- Mattresses and box springs can be covered with hypoallergenic casings that will reduce the dust mite population.
- Clean and vacuum under the bed thoroughly.
- Repair cracks in the walls and seal openings in baseboards.
- Keep the room free of dust. Book shelves and knick-knacks are dust magnets, but so is furniture.
- Guest bedrooms not in use should also be kept free of dust and clutter.
- Regularly wash stuffed animals children sleep with.
The living room and den:
- Vacuum carpets, area rugs, and floors at least once a week. If ever there was a good reason to buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter, this is it. In the same LifeScript article, (page 2), Greenbaum adds, "To minimize your exposure to dust mite particles while cleaning, Stone recommends wearing a dust and pollen face mask or using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce the number of mites launched into the air."
- Never sweep a carpet for a quick cleaning job. Dust and dust mites (and droppings) will contaminate the air.
- Clean cloth and fabric-type upholstered furniture at least every few months. Vinyl and leather chairs may be the best choice for keeping dust mites at bay, but not everyone is in the financial position to buy new furniture.
- Steam clean draperies or dry clean window treatments each season. Keep blinds dusted and dirt-free.
- Get rid of dust-catching clutter in all rooms.
More Housekeeping Tips to Reduce Dust Mite Allergens in the Home
Persons that suffer from allergies and asthma have to be particularly careful when cleaning a home. Almost everyone, however, has suffered symptoms of itchy eyes, runny nose, and irritated throat, when cleaning. Here are a few more tips for getting rid of at least some of the dust mite allergens that cause health problems.
- Avoid sweeping floors and spreading dust/dust mites.
- Toss old pillows – including old throw pillows in other rooms – unless the items can be laundered.
- Regularly clean pet bedding. Dust mites thrive on skin cells shed from pets, too.
- Notice the home's air quality. An air purifier can reduce dust particles.
- Keep other rooms dust free too, such as the kitchen. Dust builds up under the refrigerator and on the back coils. Check rubber seals for mildew.
- Clean the laundry room machines regularly, inside and out.
- Make sure indoor plants stay free of dust and mold.
- Clean dining room chair cushions frequently.
- Vacuum and clean auto upholstery regularly. Dust collects on auto carpets and fabric seats, triggering the same respiratory problems as dust in the home.
- Invest in an air purifier to help eliminate many home allergens.
Dust mites can be controlled, but not completely eliminated. The attempt to slow dust mite infestation includes such measures as keeping a home dust free and washing bed linens at least once a week. Home residents are advised to regularly clean fabric upholstered furniture, pet bedding, and window treatments, to help control dust mites. Although dust mites do not carry diseases, the insects are still a nuisance and can present respiratory health problems for those persons sensitive to home allergens.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
Join the Conversation