Wash normal bed sheets/linen regularly, at least every week at 60c. Note: Cold washing removes 90% of dust mite allergens as they are water soluble but the dust mite can live through a washing cycle at less than 55c.
Results: Washing clothing and bedding in water alone, detergent, or detergent plus bleach removed 60% to 83% of the live mites. Washing removed more mites from some items than from others.
A general rule of thumb is that hot water—130 degrees Fahrenheit or higher—kills dust mites*.
The researchers found that washing laundry in hot water -- 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 ºC) or higher -- kills all house dust mites, compared with just 6.5 percent of dust mites in laundry washed at 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 ºC), or warm water.
A new study shows washing laundry in hot water (140 degrees Fahrenheit) kills 100 percent of dust mites. But turn the dial down just 36 degrees to a warm, 104-degree Fahrenheit wash and only 6.5 percent of dust mites are killed in the laundry. Hotter water was also better at removing dog dander and pollen.
Hot washing or steaming If you cannot afford to buy a full set of allergy-proof bedding, the BAF also advises parents to 'hot wash' bedding. Washing bed linen at 40 degrees Celsius or less may get rid of the allergens in your child¿s bedding, but it will not kill all the house dust mites.
Wash all bedding that is not encased in barrier covers (e.g. sheets, blankets) every week. Washing at 60 degrees centigrade or above will kill mites.
If you're concerned your mattress has dust mites, you can clean it. One simple step is to remove any detachable covers and use an upholstery attachment to vacuum the mattress and all of its crevices.
Wash Your Bedding
One of the best ways to get rid of dust mites is to wash all your bedding—including sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and duvet covers—on a hot cycle of at least 130 degrees. 1 If you are unable to wash your bedding in hot water, place them in the dryer for 15 minutes at 130 degrees.
Showering will wash away any stray dust mite from your skin. It could also help relieve allergies by washing off any allergens clinging to your skin or hair. However, excessive showering can raise the level of humidity in a house, and dust mites thrive in a humid environment.
Essential oils contain compounds that repel or kill insects, including dust mites. The best essential oils for getting rid of dust mites are clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus oil. Add 20 drops of oil to four ounces of witch hazel, and spray your mattress, couch, drapes, and other dust mite hangouts.
Sheets and towels absorb sweat, dead skin cells, body oils, drool and other body fluids. If they aren't washed frequently, sheets and towels become a breeding ground for dust mites, mold and mildew.
Combine two cups of water with two tablespoons of tea tree oil and two tablespoons of eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Spray this solution around your home on your upholstery, bedding, carpets, and rugs at least once per week to keep dust mites at bay and make you home smell fresh.
Joining you in bed are countless dust mites and bacteria, not to mention lots and lots of your own dead skin. Dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, says you should wash your sheets at least every two weeks — maybe more, depending on factors like whether you live in a warm climate and whether your pet sleeps in your bed.
Dust mites are not a sign of a dirty house. However, regular vacuuming and dusting can remove the allergen particles they leave behind. Make it a point to vacuum in areas that accumulate dust, like under beds and sofas.
Three most important functions to human life are heartbeat, breath and sleep. An active allergy to house dust mites (HDM) can interfere with breath and sleep. Wheezing, sneezing or itching, caused by an allergic reaction, is a known risk to sleep.
Reduce the places where dust mites can live.
Remove upholstered furniture or use furniture with smooth surfaces. Remove drapes and curtains. Cover mattresses and pillows with allergen encasements. Wash bedding in hot water (at least 120 degrees F) once a week.
Dust mites do not bite you or carry diseases, but their presence in your home, or even worse the bed where you sleep each night, can cause severe allergy issues including: Nasal congestion. Coughing or itchy throat.
Using a vacuum with a high-power or Boost mode will deliver the suction you need to remove as many mites, skin flakes and allergens as possible.
You can spray your mattress, pillows, carpets and soft furnishings with a gentle allergen-neutralising treatment like HomeCleanse. When used according to the instructions, it can reduce your exposure to allergens by up to 90%. Rather than killing the mites, HomeCleanse simply denatures the mite allergens.
The answer is yes … with an asterisk. Research shows that using hypoallergenic mattress covers, pillow covers or blankets is an effective way to reduce your exposure to those dust mites. That's welcome news, as the idea of those little insects roaming around is pretty creepy.
Allergen levels are at their highest between May and October, the peak breeding season of house dust mites. Most of the mites die during the winter, but the allergen-containing dust is stirred up by heating systems. This often causes the symptoms experienced by affected patients year-round to worsen during the winter.
Vinegar is highly acidic and will kill just about any mite that crosses its path.