How to Eliminate Dust Mites in a Mattress

A bedroom mattress can be a hotel for dust mites.

Although dust mites don't bite and aren't parasitic, they can still pose a health hazard if people are allergic to them. Most house dust mites dine on the shed skin of people and pets and thrive in carpeted areas and mattresses. In fact, according to Environment, Health and Safety Online, the average mattress can have up to 10 million dust mites living inside. Fortunately, it is easy to eliminate dust mites in a mattress with regular care and housekeeping.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Steam cleaner
• Mattress covers
• Dehumidifier

Instructions

1. Wash all bedding on a weekly basis. Washing your bedding regularly in hot water and laundry detergent can help remove a substantial number of dust mites that find their way into your mattress. Bedding that cannot be washed at home, such as large down comforters or pillows, should be dry cleaned a few times a year.

2. Vacuum the entire surface of your mattress and box spring. This will remove a large number of surface dust mites. If possible, steam clean the mattress and box spring with a portable steam cleaner. This will help kill even more of the mattress dust mites.

3. Wrap the mattress and box spring in a dust mite-impervious cover. Covering the mattress and box spring with plastic will help prevent mites from taking up residency in your mattress. Keep plastic coverings on new mattresses.

4. Wash stuffed animals, decorative pillows or other fabric items that are on the bed that can harbor dust mites. For stuffed animals or other cloth children's toys that cannot be washed, place the items in the freezer for at least 24 hours to kill the mites. Wash drapery and curtains as well, as they can harbor dust mites that can make their way into your mattress.

5. Use a dehumidifier to reduce home humidity. Dust mites thrive in humid environments, so using a dehumidifier to keep the relative humidity below 50 percent can help eliminate dust mites in a mattress.

6. Lower the ambient temperature in your home. Since dust mites prefer warm conditions, keeping the ambient temperature in your home 70 degrees or lower can help deter them.

References

• Environment, Health and Safety Online: Dust Mite Overview
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Managing House Dust Mites