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What Are Dust Mites and How to Get Rid of Them

Monday, November 18, 2024

Captain Duster | House Cleaning blog/Health & Well-Being/What Are Dust Mites and How to Get Rid of Them

Dust mites are invisible pests that can trigger allergies and respiratory issues. Learn where they hide, why they’re problematic, and how to reduce their presence through practical cleaning tips. Plus, find out why airing out your bed in the morning can help reduce these allergens and improve your health.

Dust mites—tiny, invisible creatures that live in our homes—are a common source of allergies and can wreak havoc on your health if left unchecked. They thrive in warm, humid environments and feed on dead skin cells that humans and pets naturally shed. Although these microscopic pests don’t bite or spread diseases, their waste and body parts can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues.

Understanding dust mites, their impact on your health, and how to eliminate them is crucial for maintaining a clean and healthy home environment. In this blog, we’ll explore what dust mites are, where they thrive, and effective ways to banish them for good.

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are microscopic arachnids—similar to spiders—that live in household dust. They are too small to see with the naked eye but are found in nearly every home. These pests prefer warm, humid spaces and are most commonly found in bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, curtains, and stuffed animals.

Why Are Dust Mites a Problem?

Although dust mites themselves don’t harm humans directly, their droppings and body fragments can trigger allergic reactions and worsen respiratory conditions. Common symptoms include:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing or shortness of breath
  • Skin rashes
  • For individuals with asthma or severe allergies, dust mites can significantly impact their quality of life.

Where Do Dust Mites Hide?

Bedding: Mattresses, pillows, and blankets are prime habitats due to warmth and constant shedding of skin cells.
Carpets & Rugs: Thick fibers trap dust, making it the perfect hiding spot.
Upholstered Furniture: Sofas, chairs, and cushions often collect skin flakes and dust.
Curtains & Drapes: Dust mites settle in fabric that isn’t cleaned frequently.
Stuffed Animals: These can harbor mites, especially in children’s bedrooms.

Stop Making Your Bed as Soon as You Wake Up

Here’s an unexpected yet impactful tip: don’t make your bed right away. While it might seem counterproductive, leaving your bed unmade for a while can actually reduce dust mites in your home. Here’s why:​

Dust Mites Love Moisture: While you sleep, your body releases moisture, sweat, and skin cells, which settle into your sheets, creating the perfect environment for dust mites to thrive.
Trapping Warmth & Moisture: Making your bed immediately traps warmth and humidity, giving mites the ideal conditions to multiply.
Air It Out: Instead of making your bed as soon as you wake up, leave it unmade for a while to allow it to air out. Open a window and let sunlight hit your sheets—sunlight naturally kills bacteria and reduces allergens.
Wash Regularly: Make sure to wash your sheets every week on the hottest setting to kill lingering mites.

How to Get Rid of Dust Mites

  • Wash Bedding Weekly: Launder sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water (at least 130°F) to kill dust mites. Use a dryer on high heat or sunlight to ensure they are eradicated.
  • Use Dust-Mite-Proof Covers: Invest in hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers that act as barriers to prevent mites from settling in your bedding.
  • Vacuum Regularly: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap dust mites and their allergens. Focus on carpets, rugs, and furniture, and vacuum at least twice a week.
  • Reduce Humidity: Dust mites thrive in humid environments. Use a dehumidifier to keep indoor humidity below 50%. This creates an unfavorable environment for their survival.
  • Steam Clean Upholstery & Carpets: Steam cleaning kills dust mites effectively. Schedule deep cleanings at least once or twice a year for carpets and upholstery.
  • Declutter: Minimize clutter to reduce dust collection. Books, stuffed animals, and other items can harbor dust mites.
  • Wash Curtains & Soft Fabrics: Wash curtains, drapes, and other washable soft fabrics regularly in hot water to keep mites at bay.
  • Freeze Stuffed Toys: If washing isn’t an option, place stuffed toys in a plastic bag and freeze them for 24 hours. This will kill the dust mites.
  • Replace Old Mattresses & Pillows: Over time, mattresses and pillows accumulate dust mites. Replace them every 7-10 years for better hygiene and comfort.

Professional Cleaning Services

Consider hiring professional cleaning services to deep clean your carpets, mattresses, and furniture. This ensures a thorough and efficient removal of dust mites and their allergens.

Preventing Dust Mites in the Future

- Clean and vacuum your home regularly.
- Maintain low humidity levels.
- Use hypoallergenic bedding and covers.
- Declutter and clean stuffed toys and curtains often.

​Dust mites are an unavoidable part of life, but with proper cleaning habits and preventative measures, you can significantly reduce their presence in your home. Keeping your living space dust-free not only promotes better health but also ensures a more comfortable environment for you and your loved ones. If managing dust mites feels overwhelming, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to help keep your home pristine and allergen-free.

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Captain Duster - Home Cleaning

Home Cleaning Services for Rockledge, Melbourne, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie & areas around. 

Life in Rockledge, Melbourne, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie and areas around is beautiful, but a cluttered, dusty home can make it less enjoyable. At Captain Duster, we specialize in giving busy professionals, business owners and families a way to reclaim their time by maintaining a spotless home.

​We understand that many people have hectic schedules and need a reliable cleaning service to handle the burden of maintaining a tidy, sanitized home. When you choose Captain Duster, you’re hiring a service with a commitment to professionalism, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

The Captain Duster Advantage

Captain Duster offers an efficient, effective, and professional home cleaning experience. What sets professional cleaning apart from what you do yourself? First, you gain the expertise of a skilled team that uses the right tools and products to get the job done thoroughly. Our cleaners use high quality products that cut through even the toughest grime and stains, making your home feel and look fresh.

​Imagine walking into a house that sparkles, where floors are polished, and surfaces are sanitized. Our trained cleaning team does all the heavy lifting, managing tasks such as dusting, mopping, sanitizing, and organizing. It’s a detailed, thorough cleaning that not only makes your home feel clean but also healthier by eliminating allergens, bacteria, and dust. With our satisfaction guarantee, we ensure that every job meets our high standards, leaving you with a spotless space.

Choose Your Spending

You can choose your spending by adding or removing cleaning task. It does not matter if you want a partial cleaning or a top to bottom cleaning, we will customize it to your needs.

Your first cleaning might be a bit more intensive and therefore slightly higher in cost, particularly if your home hasn’t had professional cleaning recently. However, once we establish a routine, the process becomes quicker and easier, leading to reduced costs over time.

​We offer free, no-obligation estimates so that you have a clear understanding of what to expect. Simply reach out, and we’re happy to discuss pricing, services, and any specific cleaning needs you may have.

We Can Cleaning Anything Inside Your Home​

Our team at Captain Duster provides a full range of cleaning services that cover every corner of your home. We’ve designed our services to address the cleaning needs in each room of the house:

  • Kitchen Cleaning: Our kitchen cleaning services include mopping floors, sanitizing all surfaces, wiping down appliance exteriors, and removing trash. For clients needing deeper cleaning, we also offer interior cleaning of appliances to ensure every part of your kitchen shines.
  • Living and Dining Rooms: Our service includes sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting curtains, cleaning windows, and sanitizing all surfaces in the living and dining rooms. Every corner will be taken care of, including baseboards and under furniture, to ensure a spotless finish.
  • Bedrooms: We handle all aspects of bedroom cleaning, from vacuuming and dusting to organizing, removing trash, and sanitizing. If you need extra services, such as stain removal, we’ve got you covered. We aim to create a refreshed space that promotes better rest and relaxation.
  • Bathrooms: Our bathroom cleaning includes sanitizing surfaces, cleaning mirrors and windows, removing trash, eliminating odors, and cleaning shower doors. Every detail is attended to so that your bathroom looks and feels clean and inviting.
  • Laundry Room: The laundry room often requires special attention, and we are prepared to handle it. We clean spills, sanitize surfaces, mop floors, and organize, leaving it functional and spotless.

Captain Duster provides additional services, including event cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, rental property cleaning, post-event cleanup & window cleaning. Our flexibility ensures that every unique space is attended to with the same level of care and attention.

Schedule Your Cleaning Today

Ready to take back your time and enjoy a cleaner, healthier living space? Scheduling with Captain Duster is easy and convenient. Visit our website or give us a call to set up a cleaning appointment that fits your busy life. We proudly serve Rockledge, Melbourne, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie and areas around, delivering consistent, high-quality service to every customer. Stop letting cleaning tasks add stress to your day. Let Captain Duster take care of it so you can enjoy your time in a home that’s always ready to welcome you and your guests.​

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Company

Hours

Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm

Saturday by appointment

​Sunday closed

Service Areas

 Brevard County

 Indian River County

 St. Lucie County

Mailing Address

9611 N US Hwy #381, Sebastian, FL 32958 USA

772-222-6649

INFO@CAPTAINDUSTER.COM

All rights reserved © 2024 by Captain Duster®

Refer A Friend

Give your friends $25 OFF their first cleaning of Captain Duster and earn $25 OFF your next cleaning.

*Discount earned after each referral book a cleaning*

Service Area In Florida:

  • St. Lucie County
  • Indian River County
  • Brevard County

Hours

Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm

Saturday by appointment

Sunday closed

Mailing Address

9611 N US Hwy #381, Sebastian, FL 32958 USA​

(772) 222-6649

INFO@CAPTAINDUSTER.COM

Captain Duster - Cleaning Service
Captain Duster - Cleaning Service
Captain Duster - Cleaning Service
Captain Duster - Cleaning Service

All rights reserved. © 2024 by Captain Duster®