Dust Mite Control

What are dust mites?

Dust mites are tiny bugs you cannot see that live in cloth or carpet.

Things that will help the most:

• Encase your mattress and pillow in a special dust-mite proof cover. Consider dust-mite proof bedding/blankets as well.
• Wash the sheets and blankets on your bed each week in water hotter than 130°F to kill the mites. Cooler water used with detergent and bleach can also be effective.

Other things that can help:

• Reduce the indoor humidity to or below 60%, ideally 30-50%. Dehumidifiers or central air conditioners can do this. Clean dehumidifiers regularly.
• Try not to sleep or lie on cloth covered cushions or furniture.
• Remove carpets from your bedroom and those laid on concrete, if you can.
• Keep stuffed toys out of the bed, or wash the toys weekly in hot water or in cooler water with detergent and bleach. Placing toys weekly in a dryer or freezer may help. Prolonged exposure to dry heat or freezing can kill mites but does not remove the allergen.