Recently someone approached me asking how to get rid of dust mites. I told him to look into air purifiers as these appliances will offer a long-term solution.
If you are struggling with dust mites in your home, you aren’t alone. According to the American Lung Association, roughly four out of five homes in the United States have detectable dust mites.
Fortunately, air purifiers with HEPA filters can trap small particles like dust mites to help cleanse your air. Below I’ll talk about dust mites and air cleaners so you can plan your next move and live with cleaner air!
Do Air Purifiers Help with Dust Mite Relief?
Air purifiers can eliminate dust mite feces, their body parts, and the entire mites themselves. Many people suggest using a vacuum to get rid of dust mites, but this only works for surfaces – not the air.
Moreover, my air purifier has helped to minimize the amount of skin flakes and dust in my home THis is important because that’s their food source. Take that away and they’re going to leave your home to go looking for more.
Not every air purifier is going to be effective at getting rid of skin flakes and pet dander, so you need to invest in the best air purifiers. There are 3 different types, so let’s discuss how they vary and how effective each one is for the purpose of dust mites.
Ozone Air Purifiers
Ozone purifiers (also known as ozone generators) are effective at getting rid of dust mites.
However, ozone can be harmful to human health and cause respiratory issues and other health problems, particularly for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions. It may be best to choose a different purifier.
Ionic Air Purifiers
Ionic air purifiers also produce a bit of ozone, but if you don’t already have a respiratory condition or a baby/elderly person in your home, you’re probably going to be okay.
However, some ionic air purifiers leave behind a film of dust after neutralizing, which dust mites love!
HEPA Air Purifiers
HEPA air purifiers are highly effective at removing dust and dust mites from the air. Unlike other air purifiers that may generate ozone or leave behind dust particles,
HEPA filters trap these microscopic pests in their filters, preventing them from landing on surfaces and reducing their presence in your home. To ensure maximum effectiveness, consider using a HEPA air purifier with a regular vacuuming routine and other dust mite prevention measures.
HEPA air purifiers are the most effective at removing these microscopic pests, trapping them in their filters, and improving the overall air quality in your home.
5 Other Effective Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites
If you suffer from dust mite allergies, I generally recommend these other methods alongside the use of an air purifier to get rid of dust mite particles.
1. Frequent Cleaning Will Help
While it’s virtually impossible to eliminate dust mites entirely, frequent dusting and cleaning can help keep them at a minimum. To effectively remove dust, use a microfiber duster or a damp cloth.
These tools are more effective at trapping and removing dust particles than traditional feather dusters or dry cloths. Making dusting and cleaning a regular part of your household routine will help eliminate dust mites so you can breathe easier.
2. Frequent Vacuuming Also Helps
Regular vacuuming is essential to effectively remove dust mites. Aim to vacuum your carpets and rugs at least twice a week, paying particular attention to high-traffic areas and spots where you and your pets spend the most time. A vacuum with a HEPA filter will trap even the tiniest particles, and empty the dustbin or replace the vacuum bag regularly to prevent the buildup of allergens.
3. Change/Wash Bedding Frequently
As we’ve mentioned before, dust mites are particularly drawn to places with a lot of dead skin.
Unfortunately, that makes your bed a prime location for these pesky creatures. Besides being a food source, beds provide an ideal environment for dust mites to thrive due to their warmth and humidity.
That’s why you should maintain a regular cleaning routine for your bedding. Wash your sheets in hot water at least once weekly to kill off dust mites and remove dead skin cells.
To further reduce dust mite populations, consider vacuuming your mattress and bedding regularly and letting sunlight in to dry out any moisture that may be present.
4. Place Mattress/Box Spring With Some Covers
Dust mites love to hide in the warm, cozy environment of your bed. Still, washing every part of it regularly isn’t practical. However, using allergen-proof covers designed to encase your mattress, box spring, and pillows will create a barrier that dust mites can’t penetrate.
These covers will prevent dust mites from getting to you and reduce your exposure to their allergens.
5. Reduce the Humidity & Temperature of Your Home
If you can handle the cold, lower your home’s temperature to below 65 degrees Fahrenheit and maintain a humidity level between 40% and 45%.
This temperature and humidity range will help deter the growth of dust mites in your home, as they prefer warm and humid conditions. Be sure to consider individual preferences and health needs before adjusting the thermostat.
How Do Dust Mites Get Into Your House?
Dust mites enter your home through open windows, doors, and ventilation systems, as well as on your clothing, pets, and other materials brought into your home. If you have a dust mite allergy, they can cause a lot of problems.
They thrive in specific conditions, like when the temperature and humidity are high. Dust mites prefer temperatures between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity levels of 70-80%. Dry conditions make it difficult for dust mites to survive.
Unlike other pests, dust mites do not feed on human food. Instead, humans are the food! Human skin cells, to be more specific, as well as flakes from pets. That’s why dust mites are commonly found in areas where people and pets spend a lot of time losing skin cells, like beds, couches, and pet areas.
During the humid summer months, dust mites can thrive and reproduce quickly, causing allergic reactions and exacerbating respiratory issues in sensitive people. If you are concerned about dust mites in your home, investing in an air purifier and a dehumidifier can help reduce their numbers.
Common Signs of Dust Mites in Your Home
You can’t see dust mites with the naked eye. So, how can you tell that there are dust mites in your home? Let’s go through the most common signs that you have some extra buddies living in your residence for free.
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Postnasal Drip
- Runny or Stuffy Nose
- Itchy, Watery Eyes
- Red, Itchy Skin
- Itchy Throat
While dust mites may cause an allergic reaction in your skin (resulting in a rash-like, reddish appearance), they don’t actually bite. Inhaling the mites’ skin and fecal matter can understandably cause symptoms that can be similar to, say, a pollen allergy or even a cold.
Depending on how serious your body’s response is, it could even trigger asthma!
What should you look for when buying an air purifier?
When purchasing the best air purifier, it’s essential to consider the size and square footage it can effectively purify. Consider the square footage of the room you are going to use it in and refer to the model’s ACH rate.
The ACH is the number of times a purifier can filter the entire volume of air in a certain space per hour. Those who can clean at least 4 times/hour will be ideal.
- Small purifiers: are great for rooms up to 299 square feet.
- Medium: between 300 and 699 square feet
- Large: between 700 and 1,900 square feet
- Entire House: Greater than 1,900 square feet
Also, consider the filter type of the purifier. As we discussed, HEPA filters are wonderful as they get rid of dust and mites. However, there are filterless air purifiers that also work well, killing germs and destroying air contaminants in the process.
FAQs
What kills dust mites on skin?
Prescription medications can kill mites on the skin. They typically come as a cream/lotion that is applied to the entire body and left on for 8-14 hours and washed off. Apple cider vinegar my also work.
How do I test my house for dust mites?
To test your house for dust mites you can use rapid air quality tests. They will tell you how many dust mite allergens are in your home!
Does Lysol spray kill dust mites?
Lysol spray can kill up to 99% of dust mites. Just remember that it’s more than just the dust mites that cause allergens. You also have to get rid of the mites’ debris.
Does baking soda kill dust mites?
Baking soda does kill dust mites.
Conclusion
I highly recommend air purifiers to all individuals suffering from allergies or respiratory issues caused by dust mites.
However, choosing the right air purifier is crucial, and it’s essential to consider factors such as room size, ACH rate, and filter type.
