How To Get Rid Of Dust Mites In The Carpet (5 Effective Ways)

A carpet spread over the floor may be a pleasant sight, but it’s also an invitation for dust mites to breed in numbers. If you have dust mites allergy, it’s high time that you start getting rid of the armies of dust mites in the carpet.

Carpets are known to be the perfect surface for dust to accumulate, specifically dead skin cells shed by your or family members. Dust mites fed on flakes of dead skin cells. And if your house has a humid and warm environment, it wouldn’t be surprising that you have hundreds of thousands of dust mites in the carpet.

Often, the growth of dust mites is unnoticed, until you started showing signs of allergies like sneezing or runny nose. When such symptoms escalate to something more serious, like nasal inflammation, you’ll suspect that you’re living with these microscopic pests in the house.

Useful Tips To Get Rid Of Dust Mites In The Carpet

Of course, the ideal approach of preventing dust mites from breeding in a carpet to not have one. But when that’s not an option, these methods will help you to reduce the level of dust mites infestation in the carpet.

1. Use A HEPA Vacuum Cleaner

If you have a carpet in your home, vacuuming is the least you have to do. Not only it helps with removing some of the dust mites, but it also keeps the carpet generally free of dust. Not all vacuum cleaners are great for the job though. If dust mites are an issue, you’ll want to get a vacuum cleaner that’s fitted with a HEPA filter.

Using a vacuum cleaner that is not fitted with HEPA will only send the dust mites and their fecal pellets back into the air. You’ll then inhale more of the allergen and have your symptoms worsen. A HEPA filter effectively keeps the tiny particles trapped in the dust bin.

2. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a powdery substance consisting of fossilized organisms that once lived in the ocean. Human has since found various usage of diatomaceous earth, including killing dust mites. The basic structure of diatomaceous earth has sharp edges that easily tear into the exoskeleton of dust mites and dehydrate the tiny critters.

Remember to use only food-grade diatomaceous earth as commercial grades are toxic to humans. To kill dust mites, sprinkle diatomaceous earth over the carpet and allow it to rest for 2-3 days. Then, use a HEPA vacuum cleaner to remove the diatomaceous earth and the carcasses of dust mites.

3. Use A Steam Cleaner

A steam cleaner or steam mop can be one of your best arsenals against dust mites. Dust mites are destroyed easily in heat that goes above 131°F/ 55°C. The steam vapor produced by a steam mop easily goes above 212°F. Such a temperature kills dust mite instantly.

When choosing a steam mop, ensure that it is designed to clean carpet surfaces. Some steam mops are meant for hard floors. Often, a steam glider can be fitted onto the mop to enable cleaning on carpets. If you had doubts, check out these steam cleaners for carpets.

4. Dust Mite Carpet Treatment & Powder

Instead of using harsh chemical solutions, you can try getting packs of dust mite carpet treatment powder. These dust mites sprays are usually made of ingredients that are non-toxic to humans and pets.

Using the powder on the carpet not only helps to kill existing dust mites, but also keeps other forms of allergens from making the carpet home too. Generally, dust mites carpet powder are applied at an interval of 90 days to reduce their presence on the carpet.

5. Sprinkle Salt

Salt is a common ingredient on most households, and it’s proven to be an effective solution for killing dust mites. You’ll need about 200 grams of salt per square metre of carpet.

It’s important to spread the salt evenly and deep into the carpet. You can use a broom or brush to do that. When salts come into contact with dust mites, it will remove moisture from the mites’ body.

Leave the salt in the carpet for a day and vacuum the residues off.

Bottom Line

Dust mites in carpets can be a nightmare. Hopefully, these tips will help you to remove dust mites from carpets in your home and substantially reduce the allergy that you’ve been suffering.

Have you tried any of the tips to eliminate dust mites in the carpet? What works best for you? 

Related:

• Ultrasonic Dust Mite Controller – Does It Work?
• How To Get Rid Of Dust Mites In The Couch (7 Ways)
• Are Dust Mites Dangerous? (Unseen Threats In Your Home)
• Does Bleach Kill Dust Mites?
• Best UV Vacuum Cleaners For Dust Mites