Dehumidifier vs. Air Purifier for Dust Mites (Which to Buy First)

Many people ask if they should use a dehumidifier or an air purifier for their dust mite allergies. Let's first talk about the differences between them and how they work:

Dehumidifier

What Is a Dehumidifier?

• A dehumidifier is a machine that takes water out of the air, making the air drier.

How a Dehumidifier Reduces Dust Mites: 

• Dust mites can't survive when the air is less than 50% humid. A dehumidifier makes the air drier, which can kill dust mites in about 5 days because they dry out.
• Some dehumidifiers also have a filter that catches big dust particles, which means there will be fewer dust mites floating in the air.

Air Purifier 

What Is an Air Purifier?

• An air purifier is a machine that can take tiny particles out of the air.

How an Air Purifier Reduces Dust Mites:

• Dust mites are too tiny to be caught by a regular filter. An air purifier has a special filter called a HEPA filter. This filter is really good at catching dust mites and their allergens, making the air cleaner than a dehumidifier can.

The Verdict: Which Should You Buy First?

Answer: Dehumidifier 

Why:

• A dehumidifier is better at getting rid of dust mites in your room because it dries them out and can kill them. An air purifier only catches dust mites and other tiny things floating in the air. It can't catch the dust mites hiding in your bed, sofa, curtains, and other fabrics.
• It also has a filter that can catch big dust particles, which helps reduce dust mites too.

You can find our recommended dehumidifier here, which also contains a Dust  Mite Filter

Question: Should I also buy an Air Purifier?

Answer: Yes if you can afford it

Why:

• A dehumidifier cannot capture ultra fine dust mite allergens such as dust mite faeces, which are 10 microns in size. These are the primary triggers for skin and breathing issues

You can find our recommended HEPA Air Purifier here, which also contains a dust mite filter