7 Tips For Reducing House Mites

Dust mites can survive for a long time, so it’s a good idea to wash clothes in the change of season, as well as duvets and the like, before using them.

Want to know how to reduce dust mites in your home? They are microscopic organisms that live on tissue or similar surfaces.

They mostly accumulate in the bedroom (mattresses and pillows are their favorite places) and can cause allergies and illness.

To avoid these adverse reactions, we will share below some tips on how to reduce house dust mites.

What are mites?

Allergy caused by the presence of mites in the house

It is a subtype of arachnids and they measure no more than a few millimeters in length. They have diverse habitats and colonize terrestrial and marine environments, and even extreme places such as deserts, high mountains and thermal waters.

Many mites feed on mosses, leaves, ferns, stalks and flowers, others live on crops (pests).

Some cause allergies in people and others are parasites on animals. The first case is due to excrement and dead specimens (which we don’t see, but which accumulate at home).

Dust mites can be in any environment and can be inhaled without realizing it, triggering a perennial allergy or asthma.

This type is very common in mattresses, blankets, sheets, pillows, pillows and sofas, and can live up to 3 months. During this period, they can lay up to 100 eggs.

The most favorable times for breeding are autumn and spring.

Among the symptoms of dust mite allergies we can find:

coryza
Sneezing (mainly in the morning)
Nasal congestion
tearing and itchy eyes
redness of the skin

wheezing when breathing

How to reduce house dust mites?

Due to their small size and the fact that they can be present in any place we usually use, such as the bed or the sofa, we often do not realize that they have taken over our bedroom or living room until the first symptoms begin.

Therefore, cleaning is essential to prevent allergies or asthma caused by this organism.

Some tips that can be of great help in reducing mites:

1. Change the bedding regularly

Mites feed mainly on dust and dead skin. When we sleep we release particles for these organisms to make the party.

So make sure you change the sheets and blankets every week or two.

2. Wash at high temperatures

How to wash clothes to reduce dust mites

All bedding should be washed with water as hot as possible (55ºC, approximately). You can program the machine at this temperature.

Be sure to use a good quality, powerful detergent. We recommend products containing eucalyptus, tea tree or cedar oil to increase washing efficiency.

If you use cold or lukewarm water, it is advisable to use, in addition to laundry detergent, some type of bleach for clothes.
Do not mix bedding with other clothing to prevent mites from passing from one object to another.
After washing, you can rinse the machine with hot water to completely get rid of the parasites.
To dry the clothes, place them in the sun all day, even if they have already passed them through the hot dryer.

3. Vacuum weekly

This appliance is not only suitable for pillowcases, but can also be used for the sofa, curtains, pillows (according to the upholstery they have), the bed, etc.

That is, all those furniture or places where people lie down and can leave dead skin cells.

For the vacuum to do its job effectively, it must have a double layer bag with a microfilter, that is, one that traps dust particles and mites at the same time.
Keep in mind that vacuuming surfaces is no guarantee that these pathogens and their allergens will disappear.
The good thing is that the dust and particles that the mites feed on are greatly reduced. Don’t forget to properly maintain the vacuum cleaner to make it work better.

4. Steam clean

Especially if you have mats on the floor. This option dissolves dirt but also kills germs and mites from both the surface and deeper parts of the fabric.

After this cleaning, you should use a dryer or dry product, as the humidity can create the ideal environment for bacteria to accumulate and attract the attention of these microorganisms.

We recommend that you do not use dusters or dry cloths, as they spread allergens into the air.
Better to use a damp cloth or mop for dry surfaces.

5. Wash clothes stored

It is common to keep the blankets and clothes out of the cold when summer starts and then take them off when winter returns.

Before putting them to bed or using them, we advise you to wash them first.
For as long as they are in a box or under a bed, the mites will multiply and survive.

6. Cover the pillows

On the market we can find anti-allergic dust-proof pillowcases to prevent mites from establishing themselves.

The pillows are best made of synthetic fill. In turn, the appropriate mattresses are those containing viscoelastic foam.

7. Say goodbye to stuffed animals and pillows

To prevent mites from wreaking havoc on our health, it’s best to reduce the surfaces where they can grow, such as stuffed toys and padded surfaces.

We also recommend that you do not sleep on the sofa to prevent them from proliferating on it, and that you have fewer objects that attract dust.

Minimalist decor may be the key. And don’t forget to ventilate the rooms at least once a week.

Did you like these tips to reduce dust mites in your home? Start applying them today to protect your health!