Decreasing Dust Mite Exposure

What do I do first?

Start in the bedroom, 'cause this is where most of the dust mites in your house live.

• Enclose mattresses, box springs and pillows in zippered allergen-proof covers.
• Wash bedding materials, including pillow cases, sheets, blankets and mattress pads every other week in hot water (130 °F), using anti-dust mite additives.
• Eliminate or reduce fabric wall hangings such as tapestries or pennants. Avoid using curtains, drapes or blinds on windows - use plastic shades and blinds instead.
• Your bedroom should have a hardwood, tile or linoleum floor instead of carpet - dust mites can grow rapidly in it.

If you must use carpet, or don't want to rip it off...

• Try not to place the carpet on concrete because the warm space between a rug and concrete is a good place for mites to live.
• Tannic acid-based chemicals can neutralize the dust mite proteins that cause allergic reactions. They usually come in sprays and should be used at least every other month. This is inferior to removing the carpet altogether, but can still help.
• The major drawback in using tannic acid-based chemicals is that some people are allergic to the tannic acid itself! Also, tannic acid can stain some of the materials it is sprayed upon. To prevent this from happening, we offer an anti-dust mite carpet spray that does not contain tannic acid (though it has to be reapplied more frequently).
• While tannic acid neutralizes dust mite allergens, it does not kill them. A chemical called benzyl benzoate (usually comes in a form of a powder) does just that, and should be used in combination with tannic acid sprays. Some products even combine both of these chemicals in one handy package.

What do I do next?

• Vacuum often with a vacuum cleaner provided with a high efficiency (HEPA) filtration system. Throw away vacuum bags after use because dust mites can leave the bag. Regular vacuuming greatly reduces the dust mite population.
• If possible, replace upholstered furniture with wooden or plastic furniture. Just like your mattress, upholstered furniture makes a perfect habitat for dust mites.
• Because dust mites love warm, humid places, keeping the humidity low by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner makes a difference. Special air filters can help reduce dust mites in the air.
• Use an air cleaner to reduce the quantity of dust mite allergens in the air. Just like with vacuums, air cleaners with HEPA filters work best.

Page last modified: 01/16/07
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