How to Kill Dust Mites Naturally

Get rid of dust in your house to reduce the dust-mite population.

Dust mites -- their feces and their remains -- are a common cause of allergies in the home. You can't completely get rid of dust mites but you can significantly reduce the number of mites, thus reducing the allergic effects. Dust mites feed off of your dead skin cells and carcasses of fleas, silverfish and other household insects. Eliminate the food source and you can help reduce the number of mites.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• vacuum cleaner
• eucalyptus essential oil
• vodka
• small spray bottle
• washing machine

1. Vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly. If possible, rip out the carpet and install wooden floors. Dust regularly. Because dust mites live in fabrics, carpets and upholstery you must learn to be fastidiously clean.

2. Hang out comforters, blankets and quilts on a clothesline on sunny days. Dust mites do not like sunlight.

3. Hang pillows on the line with multiple clothespins and then beat them with a broom handle to shake the debris from the dust mites loose. This will also shake off any dead skin that they can feed on.

4. Wash bedding often, adding several drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the water. Use the warmest water setting allowable for the fabric.

5. Make a spray of 1 cup vodka and 20 to 30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Spray your pillows and bedding a couple times per week. Use the spray on upholstery and carpets as well.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are sensitive to eucalyptus oil then try lavender or rosemary essential oil.

• Spray any stuffed animals and place them in a plastic bag for several hours before putting them away.

References

• MayoClinic.com: Dust Mite Allergy