What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are incredibly small insects (almost impossible to see with the naked eye) that feed on flakes of shed human skin. And, therefore, known to live wherever there are humans. They are known to live anywhere there is high humidity and a good source of food, making human mattresses and bedding the perfect spot.

Dust mites are a nuisance to humans due to their likelihood of triggering year-round allergies as well as other unpleasant symptoms, such as itchiness, sneezing, wheezing, coughing and watery eyes.

3 Simple Ways To Get Dust Mites Out Of Your Mattress

There are several ways you can get rid of dust mites as well as keep them away once they have been removed.

  1. Baking Soda & A VacuumSimilar to removing urine stains from a mattress, baking soda then vacuuming proves to be a potent weapon in the fight against dust mites. Mix a cup of baking soda with a couple of drops of an essential oil of your choice. Then sprinkle the baking soda across the entire top side of the mattress and let it sit for 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes are up, vacuum up all of the baking soda from the mattress so that the dust mites are sucked away as well as the baking soda. Flip your mattress and repeat these steps for the other side.
  2. Lowering Your Room’s HumidityWhile this option is a bit less effective as well as possibly more expensive, it is still one way to get rid of the dust mites living amongst your mattress fibers. Dust mites require around 85% humidity to survive in your mattress, so running a dehumidifier can have a positive effect in terms of getting rid of these little buggers. This option can be expensive, as a good humidifier is not cheap, as well as lower humidity being uncomfortable to some people more than others.
  3. Call In A Mattress Cleaning ProfessionalIf either of the above options listed are not working for you, it is best to bring in an expert to help you rid yourself of these pests. Be sure to ask your specialized mattress cleaner exactly what chemicals they are using to remove the dust mites, as some chemicals can cause adverse reactions based on allergies.

Additional Mattress Cleaning Action For Dust Mites

When working to remove dust mites from your mattress, remember that they can also live in your sheets and pillow as well. Always wash and dry your sheets on the “hot” setting and replace your pillow if it is over two years old. Removable mattress covers can also help to reduce an influx of dust mites, and can be purchased at your local Mattress Firm store. These go over your mattress under your sheets, and are quite effective when it comes to removing the dust mites.

Dust mites are small creatures that become a large problem quickly, so it is best to tackle this problem head on. Clean your sheets and mattress regularly as well as employ some of the other action items listed above. You’ll be bug free in no time and on the way to sleeping healthier, cleaner and better.