Eliminate dust mites in your bedroom

Your Comments

• Ellen wrote:

  Feb 20, 2006

  2009-09-22 10:48 AM

  Pillows and plush toys that can't be washed can be put in the freezer for a few hours to kill dust mites. I put mine outside, occassionally, during the winter.

• Antonio Martelli wrote:

  Sep 16, 2005

  2009-09-22 10:48 AM

  Regarding the removal of dust mites from the mattress.... There is another company called," HygienePlus+ Mattress Sanitizing and Cleaning" The are located in Hamilton,Ontario Canada. Their service provides a UV-C Germ Killing light for the whole mattress not just the top of the mattress. You can reach them at hygieneplus@zoomshare.com

• KB wrote:

  Jul 20, 2005

  2009-09-22 10:49 AM

  A mattress sales agent told me to put bedding (such as pillows) out in the sun to kill dust mites. Fluffs up the pillows and freshens them too.

• Steven F. Baljkas wrote:

  Feb 20, 2006

  2009-09-22 10:50 AM

  My allergist-immunologist advised -- and I have followed her advice -- covering my mattress with a protective barrier, washing the bedding whites in hot water with additional bleach, and importantly, putting the pillows through the dryer for 1 hour. I've found that I need to watch over them for fire prevention (down-filled pillows -- but I can't tolerate the poly-fill kind) but I have definitely found the dr's suggestions helpful. She also said that freezing the pillows is acceptable, and recommended airing the room (especially easy in our Winnipeg winters) for at least an hour. Also helpful. Thanks to the other contributors for the tea tree and eucalyptus oil ideas.

• Holly wrote:

  Feb 18, 2009

  2009-09-22 10:50 AM

  Putting your bedding, pillows and mattress outside for 4 hours in the winter will also kill dust mites they can't survive the cold.

• Heidi Miller wrote:

  Mar 11, 2009

  2009-09-22 10:50 AM

  Let's get one thing straight, cold will not rid your bedding of dust mites. Cold might kill most of them but a few will survive and their eggs will definitely survive. Putting your sheets in the freezer or dragging your mattress outside in the winter are a waste of time and you should find another company or doctor if they give you that advice. High heat for an extended period of time is the best way, other than harmful chemicals, to eradicate dust mites.If you can't afford an expensive treatment and even if you can, a high quality mattress encasement which completely encases the mattress, is your best bet. Beware of companies that promise completer emoval of all dust mites as this is impossible unless you live in a home with no fabric, carpets, foam, blankets, sheets etc.

• Loretta Parker wrote:

  Aug 11, 2005

  2009-09-22 10:51 AM

  I was wondering what you could clean a water bed with to combat bed and dust MITES ETC.

• Paul Vincent wrote:

  Aug 31, 2006

  2009-11-18 3:00 PM

  Please visit mitefree.ca. MiteFree Mattress Sanitation provides this service in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. The machine uses UVlight and a high powered vacuum to kill and remove dust mites from mattresses.

• Julie wrote:

  May 03, 2006

  2009-11-18 3:00 PM

  My son's allergist also stated that placing bed linens in the freezer is helpful.

• Kelley Glasner wrote:

  Apr 11, 2007

  2009-11-18 3:00 PM

  Hi There, This article was NOT helpful. Other than calling The Mattress Doctor (advertisement!) what can the rest of us real people do to reduce or eliminate dust mites???? I feel as if I was sucked into reading an advertisement and not a helpful article. Yuk, time is precious for this type of nonsense. - K

• W. Conklin wrote:

  Jan 09, 2006

  2009-11-18 3:01 PM

  Eucalyptus may be another allergy for some of us. Gr8 about the mites. I have known for years about this from my allergist with reg. headaches and congestion. I wash sheets 3 days max and spray mattress with lysol also air bedding in winter to freeze mites. Stuffed animals can be placed in the freezer overnight too. No mites...Balsam is a big allergy for me also. Food cos. are putting it in everything as a cheap filler and fixative for scents and flavours. Pop, hair shamp and cond., floor wax..cookies and the deadly Balsamic vinegar!!

• Pennie wrote:

  Aug 31, 2006

  2009-11-18 3:02 PM

  I have seen several places mentioning putting stuffed toys and pillows in a plastic bag and putting it in your freezer... 24 hrs I believe to kill mites. I don't remember to do it very often tho.