14 Apr 2026
Dust mite cheat sheet:
- Dust mites are microscopic, spider-like creatures that live in soft furnishings and feed on dead skin.
- It’s their droppings (not bites) that trigger allergies, eczema, and asthma.
- Regular cleaning, low humidity, and smart laundry habits can keep them under control.
They’re tiny. They’re uninvited. They’re living in your pillow right now.
Meet the house dust mite: microscopic, a bit disgusting and frankly, full of poop that messes with your immune system.
They don’t bite. They don’t crawl on you.
But they do feast on the skin you shed (lovely), and their droppings can trigger allergies, eczema and asthma flare-ups. So if you're sneezing in your sleep, struggling with a blocked nose indoors, or feel like your bedroom’s making you itch… follow our 7 smol steps to dust mite detox… because you might be living with more housemates than you thought.
What is a dust mite?
They’re not beetles. They’re not lice. Wait for it… they’re actually part of the arachnid family (yep, spiders) and only measure 0.3mm. So there’s no chance you’ll ever see one.
They don’t have eyes, they don’t have wings but they do have legs (8 of course!). Their bodies are almost see-through and for a tiny creature they’ve got a BIG appetite for dead skin cells.
Thankfully, dust mites don’t live on people. But they sure do like living around us, and here’s the kicker: even once they’re dead, their droppings can stick around and cause allergy symptoms.
Top dust mite hang-outs.
Basically anywhere soft and cosy:
- Bedding, padded headboards and mattresses
- Upholstered furniture
- Carpets, curtains, and rugs
- Clothes
- Cushions and soft toys
They LOVE somewhere that’s warm and humid (ideally 20 - 25°C with 70 - 80% humidity). So if you’re creating a tropical paradise indoors? They’ll move right in.
So how do we get rid of them?
Dust mite detox.
You can’t get rid of ALL dust mites. But you can make life seriously uncomfortable for them and limit their numbers drastically. Here's how to rain on their microscopic parade in 7 smol steps.
1. Wash bedding regularly.
If you’re battling with allergies, try to wash your bedding once a week. Using a high quality detergent like smol laundry capsules or smol laundry liquid on a 20°C wash will be enough to remove the allergens (the dust mite poop!). This is all courtesy of smol’s cold wash power and of course you’ll be saving energy and money too!
N.B. Don’t forget our sensitive blue non-bio capsules are dermatologically tested for all of us with sensitive skin and allergy issues AND our fragrance-free capsules are recommended by Allergy UK.
If you’re keen to kill the dust mites themselves, you will need a higher temperature wash (60°C). BUT extreme cold also spells death, so putting your clean bedding into the freezer for 24 hours should do the trick (it still needs washing as freezing won’t remove that dust mite poop).
Want bonus points? Line dry outside in the sunshine!
2. Wrap up your mattress.
Invest in some barrier covers for your mattresses, duvets, and pillows and you’ll have discovered a real game changer because these extra layers are designed to stop mites getting in or out.
Just make sure they’re breathable, fully enclose your mattress/duvet/pillow, and have been tested to block allergens.
BONUS: if your mattress is covered, you don’t need to vacuum it.
3. Declutter.
Less stuff = fewer hiding places.
Keep books, clothes, and soft toys off beds and floors. Choose blinds or wooden shutters for your windows instead of heavy curtains and if your little ones insist on a fave teddy or cuddly for sleeptime? That’s OK. Just wash or freeze it monthly. (You don’t have to be cruel to be clean).
4. Vacuum and damp dust weekly.
Dry dusting or feather dusters = no thanks.
Use a damp cloth to actually trap the dust rather than waft it about the room.
Vacuum carpets, upholstery, beds, and mattresses once a week. And if you’ve got a dust mite allergy, ask someone else to do it (clouds do have silver linings!) and ideally leave the room for half an hour while the air settles.
5. Breathe easy.
Dust mites (and their poop) can become airborne when disturbed, so bear that in mind when you’re stripping or remaking beds.
- Avoid doing it right before bedtime
- Stay out of the room while the bed’s being made
- Open the windows while you clean
- Pop on an extractor fan in bathrooms and kitchens
6. Bedroom battle.
Most dust mite exposure happens where you sleep. So if you’re only going to focus on one room, make it your bedroom and build up the barriers:
- Use protective covers on pillows/mattresses/duvets
- Wash bedding weekly
- Remove soft furnishings (like padded headboards) if you can
- Avoid carpets, especially over concrete (they trap damp)
- If you have bunk beds, allergic kids go on the top
7. Lower the humidity.
Remember, dust mites HATE dry air.
Open windows. Use extractor fans. If you need to, grab a dehumidifier and aim to keep your home under 50% humidity (but not under 30%, we’re not aiming for desert conditions).
No more drama.
Can you really dust mite-proof your life?
Not entirely. But a regular cleaning routine makes a big difference.
Stick to the 7 smol steps above and you’ll be a good way towards relief from dust mite allergies AND your home will be a lot less crowded!
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet.
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