How to get rid of dust mites and reduce airborne allergens

Nearly all homes have dust mites. These miniscule critters hang out everywhere: in bedding, carpets, furniture and mattresses.

Dust mites don’t bite. When they affect you, they can cause classic allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose. They also can trigger allergic asthma in those who are prone to it.¹

“Dust mites may be the most common trigger of year-round allergies,” says Melanie Carver, chief mission officer for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.² Up to 30 percent of the general population have a sensitivity to dust mites.³ So what are you supposed to do?

Here’s what to know about dust mites, how to keep them to a minimum and steps you can take to minimize those allergies.

In this article:

• What are dust mites?
• Can you get rid of dust mites?
• 8 tips for reducing allergens in your home
• What products help with dust mite allergies?

What are dust mites?

Dust mites are typically microscopic — unless you’ve got great eyesight — and spider-like. They thrive in warm, humid areas and feed on human and animal dead skin cells.⁴

Allergic reactions to dust mites are pretty common. They are typically caused by inhaling proteins that come from their feces, urine or decaying bodies. Since these creatures are virtually impossible to see with the naked eye, the only sign that you may have dust mites in your home is if you notice symptoms, especially when dust gets stirred up.⁵

Can you get rid of dust mites?

In humid climates, it is difficult to completely rid your home of dust mites. They can get deep into upholstery, bedding and even stuffed animals. Being vigilant about cleaning, decluttering and controlling humidity levels, however, can help reduce their populations. That can help reduce allergy symptoms for people who are allergic.⁶

8 tips for reducing allergens in your home

To manage a dust mite allergy, it’s best to take measures to reduce the dust mite population in your home. Here are some simple ways to reduce exposure:

Control humidity levels

Dust mites thrive in warm, humid places and are not usually found in dry climates. In fact, they don’t reproduce as often when the humidity falls below 50 percent. A device called a hygrometer (similar to a thermometer) can measure the humidity level in your home,⁷ while air conditioning and dehumidifiers can help to draw moisture out of the air.⁸

“Showering, cooking and laundry all add moisture to the air,” says Carver. “Vent the extra moisture outside through an exhaust fan or by opening a window and running a portable fan to help get that moist air outside.”

Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting

Opt for hard flooring when possible. Throw rugs that can be washed are preferable to wall-to-wall carpeting, which often harbors dust mites. You might avoid heavy fabric curtains as well. If you do have carpets, use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter weekly, and make sure to clean hard floors often.⁹

Wash bedding in hot water once a week

Water that is 130 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter can kill dust mites.¹⁰ Dry cleaning can also help rid your bedding of dust mites.¹¹

Cover mattresses and pillows

Enclose pillows and mattresses in removable zippered covers. They’re typically designed to keep dust mites and their food sources out by providing a barrier these allergy culprits cannot penetrate.¹²

Cut the clutter

Knick-knacks and surfaces, such as tables and shelves, are known to gather dust. So dust them regularly with a damp cloth or microfiber cloth, which can trap and lock in dust rather than stir it up like a feather duster.¹³

Wear an N95 filter mask

If you are allergic to dust mites, wear an N95 mask while dusting, sweeping or vacuuming, because dust is often stirred up during cleaning. If someone else in your home is allergic, try to clean when they will be out of the house.¹⁴

Use air purifiers

An air purifier can remove a certain number of allergens from the air. If you have central heat and air conditioning, use filters designed to help trap dust mite allergens and prevent them from recirculating in your home through the ducts.¹⁵

Control pet dander

Even if you are not allergic to cats and dogs, dust mites can feed on the dander and skin cells shed in animal hair.¹⁶ Use the same measures described above to eliminate animal hair from floors, bedding and upholstery if you have pets. Better to be over vigilant.

What products help with dust mite allergies?

You should speak with your health care provider first, but there are a number of over-the-counter medicines that may help reduce dust mite allergy symptoms.¹⁷ Always review the individual product labels for intended use, directions and safety information.

Some products include the following:

• Antihistamines. These medications can help with sneezing, itching in the nose and redness in the eyes as well as runny nose and nasal stuffiness. Antihistamines come in tablet, nasal spray and liquid forms.
• Decongestants. These over-the counter medications are available in pill and liquid form as well as nose drops and sprays. They help shrink the lining of the nasal passages and relieve stuffiness. (Some decongestants may have serious side effects in people with high blood pressure or other health conditions, so check with your health care provider before taking them.)¹⁸
• Nasal sprays. Some over-the-counter nasal sprays can manage allergy symptoms. Those with cromolyn sodium block the release of chemicals, including histamine and leukotrienes, that cause symptoms.¹⁹ Other types of nose sprays contain corticosteroids and work by reducing swelling in the nose and blocking allergic reactions. “I believe this is the most effective medicine type for allergic rhinitis because they can reduce all nasal symptoms, including nasal congestion, and they have few side effects,” says Carver.