10 Non-toxic Dust Mite Remedies | Pretty Handy Girl
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10 Non-Toxic Dust Mite Remedies for Your Home

10 Non-toxic Dust Mite Remedies | Pretty Handy Girl

As a Filtrete Brand Ambassador, I’m back to give you more ammunition for fighting allergies! As a lifelong dust mite allergy sufferer, I’ve spent more than my share of times being congested and even suffered asthma attacks from a robust dust mite population. Over the years I’ve learned several non-toxic ways to remedy a burgeoning dust mite population. Controlling dust might seem like the obvious solution to dust mites, but actually there are several specific things you need to do to control the actual mites.

First, let me tell you a little bit more about my nemesis. Dust mites are almost microscopic (you can see them with a 10x magifying glass) and tend to live among the dust in your home. Upholstered furniture, pillows and mattresses are the most desirable environments for their populations. They feed off of skin cells shed from our body. Dust mites like warm (room temperature) and humid environments.

You can never completely eliminate a dust mite population, but you can reduce the population to ease the suffering of those that are allergic to dust mites. You also don’t need to resort to chemicals or drastic measures. You can actually wage war against dust mites with some very simple tricks and tools.

Ten Non-Toxic Dust Mite Remedies

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

1. Cover your bed and pillows with dust mite protective covers.

2. Wash sheets in hot water once a week.

3. Throw your pillows in the freezer for a few hours once a month.

10 Non-Toxic Dust Mite Remedies | Pretty Handy Girl

4. Be lazy! Don’t make your bed. Believe it or not, pulling the covers back and airing out your mattress after a good night’s slumber actually helps the humidity evaporate from your bed. Remember how much those dust mites love humidity?!

10 Non-Toxic Dust Mite Remedies | Pretty Handy Girl

5. Make your own dust mite repellent to spray on your bed. Dust mites are repulsed by the smell of Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavendar, Peppermint, and Rosemary. Make your own aromatic spray by adding a few drops of one (or more) of those essential oils in a water-filled spray bottle. Lightly mist your bed and allow it to air dry.
(New scents to try: I also just read that a mixture of Basil and Lemongrass will not only repel dust mites, but also fleas and lice!)

6. Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner. A HEPA vacuum has a filter that traps any dust that doesn’t go in the bag instead of spewing it back into the air.

7. Vacuum rugs and other “soft” items in your home on a regular basis.

8. Vacuum your mattress. This sounds funny, but once a month remove your sheets and vacuum your mattress using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum.

9. Clean your air intake vents.  Vacuum the fins and around the air intake. Wipe the dust accumulation around the perimeter with a damp rag (dry rags will only spread the mites.)

10 Non-Toxic Dust Mite Remedies | Pretty Handy Girl

10. Use 1900 High Performance Maximum Allergen filters by Filtrete to trap allergens and dust.

10 Non-Toxic Dust Mite Remedies | Pretty Handy Girl

Want more information about eliminating allergens in your home? Filtrete has a resource page for allergen defense. You can also sign up for their newsletter to learn more about improving your air quality, get reminders to change your filter and receive information about rebates when you buy Filtrete products.

Follow Filtrete via social media on Facebook or Twitter for more tips and tricks for keeping your home healthy.

10 Non-Toxic Dust Mite Remedies for Your Home
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Filtrete. I have the honor of being an ambassador for them and have been sharing information from 3M Filtrete. I was given key messages to share, but all the words and thoughts are my own.  I have been compensated for my time and for this post. I continue to work with certain companies like Filtrete that I believe in, because of their quality and because I feel they have helpful messages for my readers. I will always disclose to you if you are reading a sponsored post. #HealthierHome #Ad

 

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10 Non-Toxic Dust Mite Remedies for Your Home

42 replies
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  1. karmajinpawangmo
    karmajinpawangmo says:

    Seems like vacuuming with HEPA filter frequently, upgrade house filters, and wash bedclothes weekly does it for us – went from really annoying infestation to no problem. We just have to keep on it. Love the smell of lavender so will add that to the mix – thanks!

    Reply
  2. Tina
    Tina says:

    I have dust mites bites all over my body. They are embedded in my skin. I moved into a house full of them. If you think you may have then, pick your nose, they will hid there. Go to the dr, tell them what you’re experiencing. I’m mixing up a few of these ingredients and cleaning. I now scratch with peroxide on a sponge. Keep coconit oil on me at all times.

    Reply
  3. Cheryl Dockery
    Cheryl Dockery says:

    Bedbugs are difficult to see but they bite, causing tiny red spots on your skin. I followed directions of using a blend of ispropyl alcohol with a little water in a spray bottle, spraying mattress, pillows, carpet and walls around the bed while the linens were in a hot wash. Didn’t have the problem any more after that. They come in from perhaps after a trip, in your luggage, etc.

    Reply
  4. Mona (please use kentucklady 717)
    Mona (please use kentucklady 717) says:

    Hi Brittany ,
    Just found your blog, and am signing up for it….I use Oils too….is one brand better than the other ?
    I believe the oils should go in a glass bottles when you mix the mixture up…..Can you just use regular tap water?
    I did read somewhere to use Distilled water for some oil, but I don’t recall which one it was….I need to find my notes…..

    I’m always reading everything I can about using Essential Oils, they are suppose to be better for you than others….

    I believe someone said on here that some of them were poisonous….I had not heard that but hope to check into it further….

    I did sign up for the FILTRETE web site as I am interested in their filters…I hear they are expensive….. my neighbor uses them, I believe she said you only had to change them every 3 mos. but she changes them every 2 mos….. she doesn’t have animals so I don’t know why she changes them that often, she does have allergies real bad tho….so do I but I may just try them for 3 mos. and see how it goes….
    I assume you use them…. how often do you change them ? I have no idea how much they are, but she gets hers at Lowe’s…..you may can find them cheaper at Walmart if they sell them….I will check the next time I go there….

    I think I already signed up for your Facebook & Twitter, looking forward to your blog too….

    I love blogs where you learn things about keeping your home clean and I love the cooking blogs…..I have many LOL.

    Please use Kentuckylady717 as my name

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey
      Brittany Bailey says:

      Most of your questions about oils, I’m unable to answer, I’d ask the oil manufacturer. Regarding the filters I try to change ours more frequently as well because we suffer from airborne allergies. The filters can be purchased at Costco for cheaper or buy them in bulk to get a contractor discount at Lowe’s.

      Reply
  5. Elizabeth Baird
    Elizabeth Baird says:

    Was wondering where to purchase the clear spray bottle located in the photo of the essential oils.
    Thank you very much!

    Reply
  6. Kim Massey
    Kim Massey says:

    I have some things all over me, sometime I can feel them other times I cant. If I see something & grab it it will bite me. So if this is bed bugs how do you get rid of them for good. I have used all the sprays of essential oils I have made fighting them & keeping them off of for a liitte while. Please help. Vinegar doesn’t touch them. Lemon water will for awhile. Thank you for your post.

    Reply
  7. Ann
    Ann says:

    If using steam is suppose to kill dust mites on your mattress doesn’t that add moisture and heat to the mattress which they prefer?

    Reply
  8. AlptnMrl730
    AlptnMrl730 says:

    Essential oils can be very dangerous. Eucalyptus can cause memory loss in humans and seizures and death in animals. Essential oils will kill tropical fish and birds when used anywhere in the vicinity.

    Reply
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