How to remove dust mites from a mattress?

Discover how to remove dust mites from a mattress with these simple tips. Learn some effective methods to keep your mattress clean and free of allergens.

Mites are small arthropods of the arachnid family that feed mainly on scales and dead skin cells. The most common in the domestic environment are dust mites and they usually thrive in hot and humid environments. Therefore, we must pay special attention to these microorganisms that live in our mattresses, pillows and carpets during the summer.

How to remove dust mites from a mattress with a vacuum cleaner

Using a vacuum cleaner is one of the most effective ways to remove mites from the mattress. But we recommend you use an appliance that has a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to ensure that mites and their allergens are not released back into the air.

All you have to do to carry out this process is to slowly vacuum through mattress, once you have removed all the bed linen, paying particular attention to the seams and grooves where mites tend to accumulate.

The best thing to do carry out this cleaning once a month to keep  the mattress clean and free of dust mites.

How to remove dust mites from a mattress without a vacuum cleaner

If you have no vacuum cleaner at hand, there are other ways to fight mattress mites. Below are some of them:

• Shake and ventilate: Take the mattress outside and shake it vigorously. Then, leave it in the sun for several hours. Direct sunlight helps kill mites and bacteria.
• Brushing: Use a firm bristle brush to sweep the surface of the mattress. Brush energetically to lift and remove dust and mites.
• Use of bicarbonate of soda or vinegar: Apply bicarbonate of soda or spray a mixture of vinegar and water as described above. Then, remove the bicarbonate with the brush or allow the vinegar to dry completely.

These methods are not as effective as a vacuum cleaner but can help to reduce the number of mites.

How to remove dust mites from a mattress with bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of soda is an excellent ally to eliminate mites from the mattress. Its capacity to absorb damp and neutralise odours makes it an effective as well as natural solution.

To apply it, you first need to remove all the bedding and vacuum the mattress to remove surface dust. Then, sprinkle a generous layer of bicarbonate of soda over the entire surface of the mattress and leave it on for 15 or 20 minutes. For more thorough cleaning, you can let it sit for several hours or even overnight. Finally, vacuum the mattress again to remove all the bicarbonate of soda, along with the mites and dirt it has absorbed.

If you want to keep your mattress clean and mite-free, you can repeat this process every few months.

How to remove dust mites from a mattress with vinegar

White vinegar is another home remedy and very effective in combating mites due to its antimicrobial properties. Just like bicarbonate of soda, vinegar not only helps to remove dust mites, but also disinfects and neutralizes odours.

But be careful when applying it, as if you do so in large amounts, you could damage the mattress. The proper way to use this substance is to mix white vinegar with water in equal parts in a spray bottle so that you can easily spray the mixture on the surface of the mattress. There is no need to soak it. Just make sure to cover the entire area with a light layer.

Then, leave the mattress to dry completely before replacing the bed linen. This could take several hours which is why you are recommended to carry out this process on a sunny day and with good ventilation.

If you want even better results, you can vacuum the mattress, once it is dry to make sure there is no residue.