How to Clean a Carpet for Dust Mites

Dust mites thrive in cramped spaces such as carpets.

Dust mites are pests that feed off dead human skin cells. They can cause a variety of illnesses, from allergies and asthma to conjunctivitis. One treatment for getting rid of these unwanted pests is to get rid of your carpeting, but this is a drastic and possibly expensive solution. Rather, you can clean your carpet for dust mites, which might be time consuming but will help get rid of the pesky insects.

Things You'll Need

• Protective mask
• Cloth that holds dust or commercial dusting product
• Vacuum with HEPA filter
• Commercial dust mite killer
• Carpet steam cleaner

Instructions

1. Take an inventory of your home to see in what carpeting the dust mites may be living. It is best to clean your carpeting of dust mites either in the winter or when your air conditioning is below 68 degrees because dust mites do not like cold.

2. Remove furniture coverings, stuffed animals, linen and blankets from the room and wash or clean them following manufacturers' care instructions.

3. Wearing a protective mask, remove and dust all items and books on shelves, tables and bookcases. It is important to do this before cleaning the carpets or dust mites living in dust on these surfaces will simply end up in the newly cleaned carpets.

4. Move all furniture to one side of the room or out of the room if possible. Vacuum the carpet using a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

5. Apply a commercial dust mite killer to the carpet, following manufacturer's instructions. After leaving the dust mite killer on the carpet for the necessary amount of time, vacuum again.

6. Using a carpet steam cleaner, clean the carpet following the machine instructions, beginning at the end of the room farthest from the door. Make sure not to miss any areas by overlapping as you clean. Allow the carpet to dry for at least 24 hours before replacing the furniture.

7. Maintain a regular routine of dusting, vacuuming and steam cleaning your carpet three times a year. Change and wash linens at least once a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t forget to include fabric wall hangings in your initial and routine cleaning.

• Place stuffed animals in the freezer for 2-3 hours to kill dust mites before washing.

• Allergy-resistant mattress pads and box-spring covers can help cut down on dust mites.

• Check with your doctor and veterinarian to be sure commercial dust mite products are safe for your family and pets.

References

• Hygienitech: Dust Mites and How to Kill Dust Mites