How to Get Rid of Dust Mites in Your Mattress

Co-authored by Scott McCombe

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

If you're allergic to dust mites, you probably wake up every morning wishing there were something you could do to get rid of them. The good news is, a little cleaning and reorganizing can do a lot to improve your mornings. Kill mites by cleaning your bedding in hot water, and buy cases for your mattress and pillows. Keeping dust and humidity down in your bedroom will help discourage mites from proliferating, and putting a filter in your central air will help keep them out of your home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Getting Dust Mites Out of Your Bed

1
Wash your bedding with hot water weekly. Put your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets through the wash once a week. Wash them in water that is at least 130 °F (54 °C).^{[1]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Cooler temperatures will not kill off the mites.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you own bedding that cannot be washed hot, put it in the dryer for 15 minutes at 130 °F (54 °C) or higher to kill the mites.
- Dry your bed linen in the dryer. Dust and pollen land on line-dried sheets.
- Clean comforters and pillows 2-4 times a year.
2
Cover your mattress and bedding with dust-proof cases. Buy dust-proof, or "allergen-impermeable," covers that zip to completely seal your pillows and mattress. Opt for mattress covers that will encompass your entire bed, including your box spring. Get covers for your pillows and for your comforter as well. Clean your covers as specified by the manufacturer.^{[3]
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- Covers made of non-porous fabrics such as vinyl or plastic tend to be cheaper, and are highly effective. However, they are likely to make your bed feel hot and stuffy.
- For an effective and breathable option, consider a microfiber polyester cover, a cotton cover with a laminated nylon layer, or even a very tightly woven cotton cover with a high thread count.^{[4]
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3
Get rid of old bedding. If you have had the same pillows and mattress ever since you could remember, it's time to dispose of them. Replace your pillows every 5 years, and your mattress every 10 years.^{[5]
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- Get rid of your mattress by trashing it or recycling it. To recycle your mattress, contact the manufacturer for help, or get in touch with your local recycling center.
- If your mattress and pillows are still in good shape, consider giving them to someone you know who isn't allergic to dust mites. Remember, dust mites are only a problem for people who are allergic to them.
4
Replace your old bedding with hypoallergenic options.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Latex pillows and mattresses are inhospitable to dust mites. Latex can be expensive, and not everyone finds it comfortable, so be sure to spend time testing it out in the store before you bring it home.^{[7]
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- If you don't like latex pillows, opt for wool or silk pillows, as these are less friendly to dust mites than cotton and down.
5
Remove any excess objects from your bed. Stuffed animals, decorative pillows and other fabric objects can become infested with dust mites. Launder what you have in hot water. Store these objects in another room, if possible, as any fabric in your room is liable to affect your allergy.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Controlling the Conditions of Your Bedroom

1
Dust and vacuum your bedroom frequently. If you are allergic to dust mites, buy a filtering mask at a drug store to protect your nose and mouth. Dust and vacuum every week, and mop hardwood floors. Stay out of your bedroom for a while after you have cleaned to let the dust settle.^{[8]
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- Ask someone without a dust-mite allergy to clean for you! If someone without an allergy cleans the room, they don't have to worry about the mask. Dust mites are not harmful to people without allergies.
- Some people sprinkle baking soda on their mattresses and rugs and then vacuum it up. This may help reduce dust mites, though it hasn't been proven.^{[9]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
2
Buy a HEPA filter for your vacuum if it doesn't come with one.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} These filters prevent dust mites and their waste from getting back into the air after you have vacuumed. Buy a filter at an allergy supply store or at an online vacuum retailer.^{[11]
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Research source}
- Using a vacuum without a HEPA filter can actually worsen your problem, spreading the dust mites from one surface to another.
3
Remove carpeting and other fabrics from your bedroom. Any fabric you can't regularly wash with hot water is a breeding ground for mites. Replace fabric curtains with roll-up shades. If you can afford it, strip wall-to-wall carpeting and replace it with hardwood, tile, or linoleum floors.^{[12]
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- Because you can't launder wall-to-wall carpeting, it can be hard to drive dust mites from it.
4
Clean your rugs frequently. Kill the dust mites in your rugs by sprinkling detergent on them, whacking them with a broom, hosing them down, and drying them in the sun for at least three hours. Don't bring a wet rug back into the house, as moisture helps dust mites thrive.
- Alternatively, get your carpets steam-cleaned every two months.^{[13]
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5
Lower the humidity in your room.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to lower the moisture levels in your room. Mites love moisture. Measure the humidity in your room with a hygrometer (a device you can buy at hardware stores). If it is above 50 percent, run a dehumidifier or an air conditioner until it has fallen to below 50 percent.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
6
Get a high-efficiency media filter for your central heat and air conditioning unit. These filters trap dust mites and prevent them from spreading through your home. Buy a filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 11 or 12. Install the filter and keep the fan running.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Change your filter at least every three months, or whenever it seems dirty or clogged.^{[17]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Energy Star
  Program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy focused on educating consumers about energy efficiency
  Go to source}
7
Purchase a portable air-purifier. A small air purifier with a HEPA filter, or a MERV between 7 and 13, can help. While portable air purifiers will help, some dust mite particles will be too small, or will settle too quickly for the purifer to pick up.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I naturally get rid of dust mites?

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.

Scott McCombe

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

Start by washing your sheets and bedding in water that's at least 130°F to kill the mites. You can also get rid of them on surfaces with a HEPA-filtered vacuum.