Dust mites are tiny critters that live in warm, damp corners of the house. Our bedding is then an area of choice for them where they can quickly develop, but also easily feed on our dead skin. Nestled in our mattresses, pillows, duvets, cushions, covers, curtains or soft toys, they then prove to be particularly allergenic. They can trigger skin allergies (eczema, itching, redness, etc.), eye allergies (red eyes, conjunctivitis, etc.) and even respiratory allergies (coughing, sneezing, increased asthma, etc.). Here’s how to get rid of dust mites in your mattress and bedding. Enough to sleep soundly…
How to avoid mite nests in your home?
1) Choose your decoration wisely
First of all, limit the sources of humidity in the room conducive to the proliferation of mites: aquarium, stagnant water in green plants, etc. If necessary, install a air dehumidifier to combat excessive humidity. Moreover, ban carpets and avoid rugs that cannot be easily washed. Furthermore, do not exceed 18 or 19°C heating in the room. Last point: limit trinkets (which collect dust) and do not leave any piles of clean or dirty laundry lying around in the bedroom. Absolutely have a closed wardrobe.
2) Pay attention to your bedding choices
Above all, choose a wooden slatted base over a box spring and monitor the quality of the mattress. Prefer latex to wool or textile fibers. In addition, as soon as possible, take bedding elements made of hemp (antifungal, antibacterial and antiallergic) or synthetic anti-mites.
3) A long cleaning job to get rid of the risk of mites
Ventilate the bed and room every day for at least 15 to 30 minutes without fail. Also, change the sheets and towels every week, or every two weeks maximum. Then perform a wash at 60°C to eliminate the dead cells on which they feed. Finally, vacuum very regularly with a HEPA filter so as not to stir up allergenic dust. Above all, remember to pass it over the slats and corners where dust accumulates and to change the bag and filter more often.
How to get rid of established mites?
Even obtained in pharmacies, acaricidal chemicals are not recommended. Often rich in toxic ingredients (pesticides, etc.), they are also ineffective. In fact, it is corpse debris and mite droppings that are allergens. Killing them therefore does not eliminate allergieshence the importance of prevention. Getting rid of them once they are installed is however important, but without unhealthy solutions! Here’s how to eliminate them naturally.
4) The sun to get rid of mites
Place your mattress in the sun for several hours to kill dust mites.
5) Very regular shock washing
Freeze for 48 hours anything that cannot be washed at 60°C (bolsters, soft toys, etc.). Clean sheets once a week at 60°C and pillows/blankets/throws, etc. all 6 to 8 weeks at 60°C.
6) Baking soda to get rid of dust mites
Bicarbonate is an outstanding natural acaricide. It is estimated that 4 teaspoons of bicarbonate per m2 eliminate 80% of mites in 1 hour and 100% in 2 hours. To benefit from this anti-mite effect, sprinkle it on the mattress and pillow, brush, leave for 4 hours and vacuum carefully.
7) Essential oils against mites
There are anti-mite essential oils : essential oil of true lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, cedarwood, lemon, clove or even palmarosa. Taking into account contraindications (pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 6 years old, etc.), use them in your fight against mites. For example, add 25 drops to your dose of homemade liquid laundry detergent. Otherwise, make a spray with 1.5l of water, the juice of 2 lemons and
2 teaspoons of an essential oil. Spray on the areas to be treated and let dry.
Warning: Steam cleaning has no proven effectiveness. Worse yet, instead of getting rid of them, it increases the relative humidity conducive to the development of dust mites.