We get into our bed every night after a long day but are unaware that besides our pillows and bolsters, we have other guests on our bed. They are so tiny, measuring at about the size of 0.2 millimetres. We can’t see them at all, except for the effects they cause. With Singapore’s heat and humidity regularly at 70-80%, Singapore homes, even air-conditioned ones, are a paradise for dust mites! If you find yourself suffering from allergies lying on your bed or finding your skin irritated at night, it is most likely dust mites. Here’s how you can get rid of dust mites from your mattress.

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are tiny relatives of spiders and ticks and they are invisible to the naked eyes. They do not bite, sting or burrow into your skin. They feed on dead skin cells we shed on our bed daily. The skin cells can be found on mattresses, carpeted areas and furniture.

Dust mites have a short life span of 10 to 30 days. But depending on conditions, the female dust mites can live up to 70 days and lay hundreds of eggs. Although dust mites do not bite or get into your skin, their faeces and body fragments contain high levels of protein-based allergens that can cause common allergic reactions such as itching, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery itchy eyes, runny nose to swelling of the sinuses.

Dust mites are often responsible for the cause of asthma and eczema in young children. The bed and bedroom are where dust mites are typically found.

Ways to Remove Dust Mites from Your Mattress

1. Dehumidify your Bedroom

Since dust mites thrive in humidity between temperatures of 24 to 27 degree Celsius, the first thing you can do is to lower the humidity in your bedroom. Dust mites need high levels of about 80% humidity to survive.

One way is to get a dehumidifier to reduce humidity to 35%. However, this could feel uncomfortable for some people. Plus, perspiration from your body will still increase humidity on your bedding and make conditions favourable again for the dust mites. Moreover, the dehumidifier will not be able to remove dust mites’ faecal matter from your mattress, which causes the allergies. Therefore, it is necessary to combine this with other methods to remove dust mites.

2. Vacuum and Baking Soda

Simply mix a cup of baking soda with an essential oil of your choice. Sprinkle the baking soda on the mattress and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then vacuum off the baking soda with the hose attachment to fully remove all the baking soda. It is better to use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter to help with picking up and containing the dust mites as ordinary dust mites are spread around further using ordinary vacuums.

Only use this method if you have a fabric spring coil mattress. Do not sprinkle baking soda on your latex or memory foam mattress.

3. Get Professional Help

The last method is to get professional help in cleaning your mattress. However, this may not be the best solution due to costs. Also, the professional may add chemicals to your mattress to remove the dust mites. The chemicals may be a cause for further allergies. If available, opt for non-chemical means of removing dust mites such as steam cleaning or using ultraviolet light. But these methods are only temporary as the dust mites may return after a month or two.

The Best Way to Remove Dust Mites

The best way to remove dust mites is to simply get yourself a mattress that is resistant to dust mites. Latex mattress is the only mattress naturally resistant to dust mites. Latex, which is made from the natural sap of the rubber tree is an inhospitable environment for dust mites to live in. However, 100% natural latex mattress can burn a hole in the wallet as it is not that affordable.

You can consider a hybrid mattress like Affairs Living's MattX™ Mattress, where 100% natural latex certified by the Eco-Institut is placed on the top layer covered by TENCEL™ knitted cover. Get in touch with Affairs Living for more information.

About Affairs Living

Affairs Living is one of Singapore’s leading smart furnishing solutions. Dedicated to helping you create a cosy living space you’d look forward to at the end of the day, our selection of bedding accessories—ranging from quilt covers to fitted sheet sets—can truly provide you with the ultimate sleeping experience. 

Whether you’re looking for an adjustable bed base for the perfect sleeping position or a mattress that can alleviate your back pain, we can be your one-stop solution. Our smart home technology also carries the promise of ending morning grogginess through an AI Function SMART Alarm, head and foot controls, and presetting your favourite positions!

Here at Affairs Living, we have everything you need to make your bedroom feel like a luxury hotel. Grab the best deals, enjoy same-day delivery services and visit our newest showroom to start the most romantic affair of your homeownership journey. Shop now!