How to Reduce Dust Mites

Dust mites are a common allergen. Here are some ways to reduce them in your home.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hard-surface Flooring
• Allergy Free Matress Covers
• High-efficiency Filtering Vacuum Bags
• Leather-covered Furniture
• Pillow Covers
• Central Vacuums

1. Launder bedding weekly in hot water (130 to 140 degrees F).

2. Encase pillows and mattresses in vinyl covers.

3. Install hard-surface flooring (tile, vinyl, wood) where possible - dust can be more thoroughly removed from these surfaces. In particular, don't carpet high-humidity areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms - doing so puts out the welcome mat for microscopic dust mites.

4. Install a central vacuum-cleaning system, which exhausts dust outdoors, or use high-efficiency filter bags in your vacuum cleaner.

5. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly in areas where you lounge: upholstered furniture, the area rug in front of the television, etc.

6. Purchase leather-covered furniture, which isn't mite-friendly the way cloth upholstery is.

7. Clean air ducts if allergic individuals still experience problems after the above steps have been taken. Ducts normally contain and disperse dust; clean when you know the dust volume is excessive (you can ask a climate-control system technician for an evaluation).