To block house dust mites from entering a fabric researchers recommend that the customer looks for a product with a thread count greater than 246/in2 (threads per square inch) in a smooth fabric made from twisted cotton or synthetic fibres.
Cotton bed sheets were completely penetrable by mites and allergens. Overall, allergen impenetrability was negatively associated with dust leakage, thread count, and air permeability. Thread count also exhibited inverse relationships between dust leakage and air permeability.
Anti-allergic clothing
Sheets can be made of 100% organic bamboo, as well as anti-allergic linen. Polyester bedspreads, easily washed in hot water, prevent the accumulation of dust mites. The clothes you wear every day should also be made of cotton or bamboo. Carpets made of synthetic fibers help repel dust mites.
Cotton is a popular hypoallergenic fabric, particularly for use with newborns and infants. Items made with 100% organic cotton are more environmentally friendly and are ideal for skin rash sufferers. High quality cotton is dust-mite resistant and is easy to clean.
Down comforters, duvets, and pillows are like paradise for dust mites, dander, and mold.
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.
Science has shown that silk is a fabric that dust mites find inhospitable. It's an absorbant material that prevents moisture from stagnating on its fibres. Plus dust mites are unable to nest in its fine threads.
Buying the right fabric
Cotton fabrics are resistant to wear & tear as well as easy to maintain & can be washed easily in case specks of dust get collected. Similarly, you can use velvet & linen if you are looking for easy maintenance.
A dust proof material is a microfiber unwoven fabric which has excellent efficiency of dust prevention. A dust proof material is produced from woven (knitted) fabrics consisting of synthetic filament or unwoven fabric which are bounded by chemical, mechanical or solvent treatment.
They recommend a wash temperature of 130°F or higher to kill dust mites. You would need to measure the temperature of your wash water to make sure you actually are washing at this temperature.
Control the temperature – dust mites thrive at temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius, so ensure you vacuum warmer areas in your home frequently to control levels of dust mites, like pet baskets, sofas or mattresses. Washing bedding or other soft furnishing at 60-90 degrees Celsius will break up allergens too.
Bamboo fibre offers many other properties besides being the best anti-dust mite bedding: Known for its breathable properties, bamboo makes for a great temperature regulating bedding. It keeps your bed at an ideal temperature, whether it's freezing cold or scorching hot outside.
Cleaning thoroughly and regularly is one of the best ways to protect against dust mites. This includes: Washing your sheets, pillowcases and blankets weekly in hot water to kill dust mites. If your children are sensitive to dust mites, you should wash their stuffed animals weekly as well.
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.
All pure bamboo sheets (and most blended options) are hypoallergenic, making them ideal for people with sensitive skin. Sheets made from these materials are resistant to dust mites and dust, minimizing the risk of irritating conditions such as sneezing or itching.
Predators. The predators of dust mites are other allergenic mites (Cheyletiella), silverfish and pseudoscorpions.
Some of the most common skin-friendly fabrics are “cotton, linen, cashmere, silk, hemp and those made with wood pulp,” mentioned Sarkar. "Any fiber that has good conductive and wicking properties are good for people who have different skin conditions.” Another fiber worth investing in is bamboo.
For general dusting
“Microfiber, thanks to its microscopically tiny weave, holds ten times more dirt per square inch than its cotton counterparts, so you will collect more dust and keep it from redepositing as you clean the next surface,” says Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer for MaidPro.
Flannels: for dusting
Generally, flannel is a soft woven cotton that is very slightly fluffy, making it extra comfortable, which is why it is often used for pyjamas. That fluffy quality makes flannels a good candidate for dusting, says Islam, “as they have a brushed surface to catch dust particles”.
You want a cloth with fuzz or nap because dust adheres best to these. A clean, washable cloth of soft cotton, like a well-worn dish towel, a piece of flannel, cheesecloth, or chamois are all excellent choices for dusting. Microfiber is also a good choice.
Sprays and aerosols containing syngergized pyrethrins should kill mites immediately on contact, though the treatment will only remain effective for up to a few hours. Insecticide sprays containing permethrin or bifenthrin are effective against many mites and should retain their killing properties for several weeks.
Dust mites live and multiply easily in warm, humid places. They prefer temperatures at or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity of 75 to 80 percent. They die when the humidity falls below 50 percent.
Though some may try to sell you on leather furniture because of the look or feel, the fact is, it IS a better type of furniture for allergy sufferers, as dust mites cannot burrow through leather. For carpeted rooms, use a dust mite carpet cleaner to denature dust mite allergens.