How To Get Rid Of Dust Mites in 6 Steps

Dust mites are microscopic bugs that mainly live in primarily in:

• Bedding: Mattress + Pillows + Duvet
• Fabrics: Carpets, Divan and Curtains
• Furniture: Sofa, chairs and bed frames

They do not bite you but their "poo" will cause allergic symptoms ranging from 

• Eczema: itchy red skin
• Asthma: Blocked Nose / Sneezing / Mucus build up
• conjunctivitis: watery red eyes

If these symptoms are worse when your in your bed and you get relief outside then dust mites are the likely cause.  Read on to learn how to solve your allergic symptoms or 🔗click here to see the full list of dust mite allergy symptoms

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

The Diagram below shows how dust mite mattress protectors help get rid of dust mites.

1. Mattress: Dust Mites are trapped between mattress and protector and die. 

2. Encasement / Protector: mites are forced to stay on the outside, they cannot live in protector so move to your bedding. 

3. On your bedding:  Dust mites will struggle to live here due to weekly washing

4. Hot Wash: Dust mites and all their allergens will be removed at hot 60° Wash

• Best:
  • swap wall-to-wall carpet for wood, tile or vinyl.
  • Fewer fibres = fewer places for mites to live.
  • Seal or minimise floorboard gaps — dust settles there easily.
  • Pro Tip - The ABSOLUTE best is under floor heating

• If you can’t replace:
  • HEPA vacuum weekly (slow passes),
  • steam clean Monthly, and
  • dust-mite spray on problem areas weekly

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. Aim for 40-45% 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
3. 0 Hours a day above 50%: Dust mites die from dehydration it needs to be constant
   1. Imagine yourself with no water for 23 hours a day but 1 hour of water... your might be uncomfortable but your surive! Dust Mites are the same. 
4. Filtration: a dust filter helps ensure you’re not blowing allergens back out into your room
5. 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 recommended dust mite dehumidifiers

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.

• Take a photo or save this illustration on how to get rid of dust 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.

Dust Mite Allergy - Skin

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

Dust Mite Allergy Nose / Throat / Chest

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

Dust Mite Allergy Eyes

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

Dust Mite Allergy affects on Sleep and mental health

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

Dust Mite Allergy Affect On Children

• Frequent nose rubbing
• 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