Dust mites—they’re like the invisible pests living rent-free in your home. They love to settle into your bedding, clothes, and furniture, creating havoc for anyone with allergies, especially in your laundry.
If you or anyone in your home is prone to allergies, these microscopic pests can stir up a storm of sneezes and itchy eyes.
But hey, don’t worry — with the right laundry detergent for dust mites and a couple of smart cleaning moves, you can show those mites the door.
What Are Dust Mites, and Why Are They a Problem in Your Laundry?
Let’s start with the basics.
Dust mites are tiny critters that love warm, cozy places like your bed and furniture. They feed on dead skin cells, which makes your laundry and bedding their favorite hangouts. If you’ve noticed your family sneezing, coughing, or rubbing itchy eyes, dust mites on clothes and bedding might be to blame.
They might be small, but for people who suffer from dust mite allergies, they can be a real headache—literally.
Dust Mite Allergy Symptoms
Ever wake up feeling stuffy or congested? You might be dealing with dust mites.
Common symptoms of dust mite allergies include sneezing, runny noses, and watery eyes. They’re usually worse after a night’s sleep or after sitting on fabric-covered furniture.
If this sounds familiar, dust mites are likely behind the scenes, making themselves at home in your fabrics.
The Truth About Dust Mites in Your Laundry
Here’s something you might not know: washing your clothes alone won’t completely remove dust mites.
Studies show that even after washing, up to 97% of dust mites could still be clinging to your fabrics. Drying on high heat can help cut that number down to 7%, but if you want to kill dust mites for good, you’ll need more than just hot water and soap.
That’s where a specialized dust mite laundry detergent comes into play.
Dust Mite Survival Rates
Before Washing: 100% Alive
After washing: 97% survive
After tumble drying: 7% remain
Dust mites are pretty tough, but with a combination of high heat and the right products, you can drastically reduce their presence in your home.
Does Washing Clothes Get Rid of Dust Mites?
If you don’t have access to specialized products, there are still ways to deal with dust mites using things you already have at home:
- Wash with hot water – Make sure your washer is set to at least 130°F. This temperature is hot enough to kill dust mites.
- Freeze delicate items – If you have items that can’t be washed in hot water, freezing them for 24 hours can help eliminate dust mites.
- Sun-dry your laundry – Dust mites don’t stand a chance against UV rays. Drying your clothes in direct sunlight can help kill off mites.
- Add essential oils – Some essential oils, like tea tree and eucalyptus, have natural anti-microbial properties that dust mites don’t like.
These DIY tricks are helpful, but pairing them with a proper dust mite laundry detergent will give you the best results.
Top Laundry Detergents That Kill Dust Mites
Now, let’s get to the products. If you’re serious about reducing dust mites, here are some of the best detergents and additives that can make a difference:
- AllerTech Laundry Detergent – This product is specially formulated to eliminate dust mites. It’s a top choice for families dealing with allergies, who is needing a more aggressive approach to dust mite allergen removal.
- Demite Laundry Additive – This isn’t a full-blown laundry detergent; instead, this is the detergent’s bestie sidekick to handle dust mites in laundry. Add this to your regular detergent, and you’ll notice a big difference in reducing dust mites in your fabrics.
- Tide Free & Gentle – Great for those with sensitive skin and still effective in dealing with dust mites.
Using any of these dust mite laundry solutions can help reduce allergens in your home, making your fabrics fresher and your family healthier. Using these dust mite terminating laundry detergents can definitely aid you in this…annoying cleaning venture.
Professional Help for Dust Mite Control
Now, if you’re dealing with a serious dust mite problem, washing your clothes may not be enough.
Dust mites don’t just live in your laundry; they also hide in your carpets, couches, and mattresses. That’s where calling a professional cleaner, like All Fresh Cleaning Service in Houston, can come in handy.
We use proper cleaning equipment to handle dust mites in carpets, furniture, and many areas that are hard to clean with just household products. At All Fresh, we use our expertise and experience to take care of all your dust mite cleaning needs, so you won’t have to lift a finger.
Deep cleaning can significantly reduce dust mites in your home. We also provide regular, recurring cleaning services, as well as move-in/move-out cleanings for residents in Houston, TX, and surrounding areas! And the best part? We offer awesome home cleaning deals and discounts – it’s worth checking it out 😉
Quick Tips for Keeping Dust Mites at Bay
Here are a few final tips for reducing dust mites in your home:
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water.
- Use a dust mite laundry detergent or dust mite laundry additive.
- Dry fabrics on high heat or in direct sunlight.
- Consider using dust-mite-proof covers on your mattress and pillows.
- Have carpets and upholstered furniture steam-cleaned regularly.
By keeping up with these habits, you can make sure dust mites don’t overstay their welcome.
Conclusion
Whether you’re managing a busy household, running an AirBNB property, or just trying to create a clean, allergen-free environment, killing dust mites is key. They might be small, but they can cause big problems for allergy sufferers. Thankfully, with the right dust mite laundry detergent and a few smart cleaning strategies, you can keep your home fresh and free from these invisible pests.
And remember, while dust mites are tough to eliminate, they’re not impossible to control. A little effort goes a long way in reducing their numbers and keeping your home healthier for everyone.
And if you’re just not in the position to handle all this yourself, you can always reach out to All Fresh Cleaning Service in Houston, TX to deal with all of it. Also, remember the house cleaning deals I mentioned earlier? There’s one of them…below the FAQ section. Scroll down and take advantage of our crazy home cleaning deals!
Cleaning & Dusting Curtains FAQ
Can regular laundry detergent kill dust mites?
Not really. Regular detergent might shake them up a bit, but it won’t fully kill dust mites. So it’s best to get yourself a specialized laundry detergent that specifically works against dust mites and other allergens, such as, AllerTech Laundry Detergent.
Does vinegar kill dust mites in laundry?
It can help remove them, but vinegar alone won’t kill dust mites.
Does the dryer kill dust mites?
Yes, high heat in the dryer can knock out a significant number of dust mites. After you wash your laundry with a dust mite killing detergent, it’s good to do tumble dry or dry it with high heat, to eliminate a mass of them.
How to get rid of clothes mites?
Wash clothes in hot water, dry them on high heat, or freeze delicate fabrics. Adding a dust mite laundry detergent works best.
Best way to kill dust mites in laundry?
Use a combination of hot water, high heat drying, and a laundry detergent that kills dust mites.
