How To Get Rid Of Dust Mites in 6 Steps

Dust mites are microscopic bugs living in our beds, carpets, and curtains. They don’t bite, but their waste can trigger allergies — from sneezing and stuffy noses to itchy skin and eczema flare-ups.

If you or your child wake up with allergy symptoms, dust mites could be the culprit. The good news: you can get rid of dust mites — or at least reduce them dramatically — and feel the difference in your breathing and skin.

Common Dust Mite Allergy Symptoms

Itchy skin or rashes, blocked/runny nose, coughing or wheezing, red/watery eyes, poor sleep and daytime fatigue. See the full list →

Fast Fix (start here)

1) Wash bedding at ≥60 °C every 4–7 days (jump)

2) Remove dust-trapping bedroom fabrics (soft toys, heavy throws, extra cushions) (jump)

3) Clean top-to-bottom weekly (damp dust first, then HEPA vacuum) (jump)

Long-Term Control (keeps mites from coming back)

4) Use dust-mite-proof encasements for mattress, pillows and duvet (jump)

5) Keep humidity under 50% 24/7 (jump)

6) Replace carpets with hard floors where possible (jump)

Encase your mattress, pillows and duvet. A good cover creates a barrier so dust mites and their allergens can’t get in or out. Mites trapped inside starve; new mites can’t colonise your bedding.

• Inside the encasement: existing mites die off with no food source.
• On your sheets: mites stay on washable layers — kill them with a 60 °C wash.

What to look for in a good encasement

• Fully sealed zip + barrier fabric with no gaps or loose weave.
• Easy care: wipe or vacuum the outside weekly; launder every 1–4 weeks as needed.
• Comfort layer: breathable outer (e.g., eucalyptus-based) for cooler sleep.

Learn more: how dust-mite encasements work

Shop dust-mite-proof covers

• Best: swap wall-to-wall carpet for wood, tile or vinyl. Fewer fibres = fewer places for mites to live.
• If you can’t replace: HEPA vacuum weekly (slow passes), steam clean periodically, and use a dust-mite spray on problem areas.
• Seal or minimise floorboard gaps — dust settles there easily.

Below 50% relative humidity is the sweet spot. Mites pull moisture from the air — dry the room and they struggle.

1. Humidistat: choose a dehumidifier with a sensor and set ~40% (night breathing and showers can bump RH temporarily).
2. Filtration: a dust filter helps ensure you’re not blowing allergens back out.
3. Quiet mode: keep it running overnight; consistency matters more than bursts.

Tips: don’t dry laundry indoors; ventilate bathrooms; keep windows closed when outdoor humidity is high.

See our dust-mite dehumidifier

HEPA filters capture tiny particles (down to 0.3 microns). That means fewer allergens floating around for your nose, eyes and skin to react to.

• Run it continuously in the bedroom and living room.
• Choose a unit sized for the room, with a low-noise or night mode.

See our HEPA air purifier

• Swap fabric bed frames for wood or metal.
• Minimise rugs and mats; if you keep them, wash weekly.
• Choose leather/PU sofas or washable slipcovers.
• Replace heavy curtains with blinds, or wash curtains regularly.
• Limit cushions and soft toys; hot-wash or freeze soft toys in a laundry bag before washing at 60 °C.

A consistent cleaning routine makes a huge difference in reducing dust mites. The aim is to clear away the dust they feed on — mostly dead skin cells — before it settles back into your bedding, furniture, or carpets.

• Start from the top down: clean ceiling fans, shelves, picture frames and wardrobes first. Dust always falls, so working from high to low prevents clean surfaces below from being re-contaminated.

• Damp dust: use a slightly damp microfibre cloth so particles stick instead of going airborne. Dry dusting just stirs allergens back into the room.

• Ventilate wisely: open windows while cleaning if outdoor humidity is under 50%. If it’s higher, keep windows closed and run a dehumidifier so mites don’t get the moisture they need to survive.

• HEPA vacuum after dusting: move slowly over carpets, rugs, sofas, curtains and skirting boards. A slow pass lets the filter capture fine dust particles mites rely on.

• Focus on the bed:

  • Vacuum the mattress and pillows (with encasements on).

  • Keep dust mite protectors in place — they block allergens from escaping.

  • If it’s been more than a month, wash the encasement covers at 60 °C (or follow care instructions).

• Wash bedding: launder sheets and pillowcases weekly at 60 °C, duvet covers every 1–2 weeks, and pillows/duvets as per their label.

• Don’t forget soft furnishings: curtains, rugs and fabric chairs should be vacuumed weekly or steam cleaned if they can’t be replaced.

• Finish strong: always empty your vacuum outdoors or into a sealed bag so mite debris doesn’t escape back into the room.

If you overheat under polyester or heavy cotton, a breathable eucalyptus-based fabric can help. It’s soft on sensitive skin and helps manage moisture at night whilst reducing dust mites.

1. Moisture-managing: helps keep bedding drier, which dust mites dislike.
2. Soft and gentle: kind to reactive or eczema-prone skin.
3. Hypoallergenic feel: smooth fibres are comfortable against the face.

See our anti-dust-mite bedding set

• They’re too small to see (around 0.2–0.3 mm) and live where we rest most: beds, sofas and carpets.
• They don’t bite, but their droppings and body fragments can trigger allergies.
• Control is about reducing mites and exposure — not chasing “zero mites”.

Dust mite allergy can affect your skin, breathing, eyes, sleep and energy. If you recognise several of these, the steps above will help reduce exposure.

Skin

• Itchy skin, red patches or hives
• Scratch marks from night-time itching
• Itchy scalp

Nose / Throat / Chest

• Runny or blocked nose, post-nasal drip
• Cough, wheeze or asthma flare-ups
• Facial pressure or sinus issues

Eyes

• Red, itchy or watery eyes
• Dry, flaky skin around the eyes
• Crusting on waking

Sleep & Daytime

• Poor sleep, waking congested
• Daytime tiredness or “foggy” head

Children

• Frequent nose rubbing or loud breathing
• Rashes in places they can’t easily scratch
• Faster breathing during flare-ups

Not sure it’s dust mites? Take the free 1-minute quiz