Dust mites are too small to see, and they live in almost every home. You cannot get rid of them completely — but the right cleaning routine keeps their numbers, and the allergens they leave behind, down.
What dust mites are
Dust mites are tiny relatives of spiders. They feed on the skin flakes that people and pets shed, and they thrive where it is warm and humid. That is why the bed is their favourite place: warmth, moisture from the body and a steady supply of skin flakes.
Where they live in your home
- Mattresses, pillows and duvets
- Sofas and upholstered chairs
- Rugs and carpets
- Curtains, cushions and soft toys
Why their allergens end up in the air
The allergens from dust mites are mainly found in their droppings and body fragments. These particles sit in textiles and dust, and they are sent into the air when the bed is made, a cushion is shaken or the floor is dry-swept. After a while they settle again.
The cleaning routine that keeps them down
- Wash bedding regularly — at the highest temperature the fabric allows, typically 60 °C.
- Air out the bedroom — and fold back the duvet in the morning, so the bed can dry out.
- Vacuum mattress and sofa with a HEPA filter — so the fine particles are held in the filter instead of blown out.
- Damp dusting and damp floor washing — removes the dust instead of stirring it up.
- Fewer dust-collecting textiles in the bedroom — cushions, throws and soft toys you do not need.
When a professional clean makes sense
Household vacuums reach the surface of a mattress or a sofa, not the depth of it. A professional mattress cleaning or sofa cleaning goes further. And a thorough allergy-friendly clean of the whole home — with a HEPA-filter vacuum, damp wiping and an air purifier running while we clean — takes care of the dust the mites live in.
Book allergy-friendly cleaning in Copenhagen, and add mattress or sofa cleaning to the same visit. Contact us for a quote.
Related: Why is my home so dusty? · How mattress cleaning works
This article is about cleaning, not medical advice. If you have an allergy or asthma, talk to your doctor about what is right for you.