Dust Mites Fact Sheet

Here are some quick facts about dust mites and the dust mite allergy.

  • Much smaller than a grain of sand, dust mites are too tiny to be seen with the human eye.
  • At least 10% of the human population and approximately 80% of allergy sufferers are allergic to proteins that are found in the waste and decomposed body parts of dust mites.
  • Dust mite allergen is the number one cause of perennial allergic rhinitis.
  • If you often wake up with congestion, a runny nose, watery eyes, itching, or sneezing, then you are probably allergic to dust mites.
  • Dust mites flourish in warm, humid environments.
  • Your bed is the perfect environment for dust mites; they love to burrow into fabric and feast on your dead skin cells. Humans shed one to three pounds of skin a year, plenty of food for millions of dust mites.
  • A gram (about a half teaspoon) of dust contains as many as 1,000 dust mites and 250,000 allergenic dust mite fecal pellets.
  • Dust mite populations increase rapidly. Each egg-laying female can increase the population by 25 or 30 new mites per week.
  • Depending on its age, your mattress may house between one million and ten million dust mites. It is important to change your mattress after the recommended time period for healthy sleeping.
  • Dust Mites Fact - These Guys Are Super Ugly!During its 80-day lifespan, the average dust mite produces about 1,000 allergen waste particles.
  • The weight of the average mattress doubles after ten years due to dust mite infestation, and the weight of the average pillow increases 10% after one year.
  • Dust mite populations peak during the hot, humid months of July and August.
  • Dust mites grow best at 75-80% relative humidity, and they cannot survive when the humidity is below 50%.
  • A Johns Hopkins University study showed that “mite population and allergen levels decreased by 90% or more within a month of placing mattress and pillow covers and treating bedding. We offer a range of Allergy Bedding for your home that will provide a barrier between you, dust mites and allergens for a healthier night’s sleep.
  • You can help to control your Dust mite allergy by using scientifically-proven environmental control devices, specifically HEPA filtration and dust mite allergy covers.

AchooAllergy.com Can Help!

To control and reduce the dust mite population in your home, alleviate your allergy symptoms, and breathe better, we recommend that you take the following steps. And it’s not just us, multiple universities, the CDC, the National Institute of Health, the AAAAI, and other organizations recommend some or all of these environmental control measures as effective ways to reduce your exposure to the dust mite allergen:

  1. Encase your mattress and pillows with allergy bedding to form an impenetrable barrier between you and the dust mite allergens. It is especially important to note the pore size on mattress and pillow covers. Our highest-quality allergy bedding, BedCare, features the BugShield® Zipper-Lock protection, and is woven so tightly that the vast majority of allergens cannot penetrate. Unlike dust mite bedding with larger pores, BedCare Covers also blocks out animal dander. Studies by the National Institute of Health and others have shown that a woven, barrier fabric with an average pore size of less than 10 microns is best for reducing allergic and asthmatic reactions from dust mites and pet dander.
  2. Frequently wash all of the bedding that you use on top of your encasings in hot water. You should wash your allergy mattress covers two to four times per year. Drying at high heat can also kill dust mites, though for some fabrics, this isn’t advisable.
  3. Unfortunately, for safety reasons, most washing machines do not use water hot enough (140°F) to kill all dust mites. Fortunately, AchooAllergy.com offers a laundry wash and dust mite laundry additive that kill dust mites in any temperature of water. You should use these additives if you are unable to wash with hot water.
  4. Vacuum your mattress with a HEPA vacuum cleaner before putting on your allergy bedding. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter traps allergens and prevents them from blowing out into your room through the exhaust.
  5. Dust mites also thrive in carpets and upholstery. Use our dust mite powder in your home. It is important for you to vacuum frequently or in cases where it is possible, replace the carpet all together. In addition, when medically advised/prescribed by a doctor, the cost of the replacement may be tax deductible.
  6. Avoid upholstered furniture. Bedding, carpet and upholstered furniture are the three primary safe havens for dust mites.
  7. Keep your clothing in a closet with the door shut. Consider using a laundry additive such as Allersearch Allergen Wash or a full allergen laundry detergent to get rid of dust mites and other allergens on your clothes.
  8. Use an Acu-Rite Humidity Gauge to monitor the humidity in your home and use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to control and reduce the humidity. Dust mites grow best at 75-80% relative humidity and cannot live in environments where humidity levels are below 50%.
  9. Run a HEPA air purifier, to remove dust, airborne dust mite waste particles, and other allergens from the air in your home for clean, healthy breathing.

AchooAllergy.com Customer Service

AchooAllergy.com provides the highest-quality products at the most affordable prices. Our allergy relief bedding represents the best dust mite barriers on the market today.

AchooAllergy.com offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on all allergy bedding products. Compare this to some of our competitors, who charge restocking fees or refuse to accept returns if the package has been opened.

We offer free shipping on orders over $59 in the continental United States.

Dust Mite Control Buying Guide

Allergy Armor Allergy Bedding Package

BedCare Allergy Bedding Package
BedCare allergy bedding packages include (2) BedCare pillow covers, (1) BedCare mattress cover, and (1) BedCare Economy box spring cover. We’ve bundled these items together for you to make it more convenient to purchase complete protection, while saving you 15%!

Allersearch Allergen Wash

Allersearch Allergen Wash
Simply washing your laundry will not remove dust mites and dust mite allergens, unless the water is hotter than 140°F. However, most washing machines do not get this hot, and frequent hot water washings can damage fabrics. Allersearch Allergen Wash can remove allergens in any temperature. Regularly wash your bedding with Allersearch Allergen Wash to keep the dust mites in your bed to a minimum.

De-mite Laundry Additive

de-mite Laundry Additive
Use this laundry additive to remove dust mite allergens from your laundry, while washing at standard temperatures. Just wash your bedding and any other items with about 2 tablespoons of de-mite. One 8-oz bottle lasts for 11-12 loads, and de-mite is completely safe for all washable fabrics.

Anti-Allergen Laundry Detergent

Ecology Anti-Allergen Laundry Detergent
Anti-Allergen Solution Laundry Detergent is the safe and effective solution for getting rid of allergens in your clothing and bedding, even when you wash in cold water! Anti-Allergen Solution removes dust mite allergen, pet dander, mold, mildew, and smoke, and it will not leave anything behind to irritate sensitive skin.

AllerSearch X-Mite

Allersearch X-Mite
Sprinkle this handy powder onto your rug, carpet, or upholstered furniture to deactivate household allergens caused by dust mites. This unique anti-allergen formula contains non-abrasive, sponge-like particles, with a water-based cleaning agent to deactivate most household allergens.

Santa Fe Classic Basement Dehumidifier

Santa Fe Classic Dehumidifier
Dust mites, mold, and reaction-causing insects like cockroaches love humidity, so it is important to keep home humidity levels below 50%. Achoo! Allergy recommends the Santa Fe Classic Basement dehumidifier. This dehumidifier is rugged, built right here in the U.S., is extremely energy efficient and removes excess moisture.

Miele Kona

Miele Kona Vacuum Cleaner
The lightweight, sleek Miele Kona vacuum cleaner may not make cleaning jump-up-and-down fun, but it definitely makes cleaning easier and more effective, especially if you have allergies. The sealed system and HEPA filter make the Miele Kona ideal for use by those that are suffering from allergies.

Now that you’ve read through our dust mite facts and have a better understanding of dust mites, find out more about how to reduce dust mites and what products can help block the effects of dust mites with any of the resources below.

Allergy Bedding Buying Guide
Home Humidity and Allergies
Allergy Bedding FAQs