Sneezing first thing in the morning. Itchy skin that comes out of nowhere. A nose that never quite clears. These small annoyances often point to one quiet problem hiding in plain sight.
Dust mites.
They are microscopic, stubborn, and very comfortable in mattresses. Warmth, moisture, and dead skin are all they need to settle in and stay put.
Key Takeaways
- Dust mites thrive in mattresses because of warmth, moisture, and shed skin, and while you cannot see them, symptoms like congestion, itchy skin, and poor sleep are often the giveaway.
- How to remove dust mites from a mattress comes down to consistent habits, including hot washes, proper drying, and regular mattress cleaning.
- Long-term prevention comes down to habits and setup, including mattress protectors, routine cleaning, good airflow, and choosing allergy-friendly mattresses, pillows, and bedding.
In this guide, we walk you through how to remove dust mites from a mattress using practical methods that fit into real life. From washing and vacuuming to natural options and professional help, we cover it all so you can choose what makes sense for your home.
What Are Dust Mites?
Dust mites are tiny, eight-legged relatives of spiders that live in soft furnishings and feed on the skin flakes we naturally shed every day.
The University of South Australia explains that, “People often believe they are allergic to house dust. But, of the 20% of Australians suffering with allergies, a number are actually allergic” to microscopic dust mites.
Mattresses suit them perfectly. Warmth, moisture, and trapped skin cells create ideal conditions for growth. While dust mites do not bite, the particles they leave behind can irritate airways and skin, which is why beds often sit at the centre of allergy symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Dust Mites in Bed
Dust mites are hard to spot, but the way your body responds can be a giveaway. Symptoms often show up at night or first thing in the morning, right where you sleep.
- Allergy flare-ups during sleep
Sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy eyes, or coughing that starts in bed or appears on waking are common signs of dust mite exposure. - Skin irritation and itchiness
Itchy skin, redness, or eczema that worsens overnight is often blamed on dust mites bites, even though mites do not bite. - Visible dust or debris around the bed
Fine dust buildup along mattress seams, pillow edges, or the bed frame can signal an environment where mites thrive, even if you cannot see them. - Ongoing tiredness despite enough sleep
Restless sleep or waking up congested can leave you feeling drained during the day, even after enough hours in bed.
How to Get Rid of Dust Mites in Your Mattress
Getting rid of dust mites works best when you tackle the mattress and everything that touches it. Sheets, pillows, covers, and the mattress itself all need attention if you want results that last.
If you have an Ecosa mattress, the removable and washable cover makes this step much easier to manage as part of your routine.
Wash All Bedding & Dry in the Sun
Wash everything that rests directly on the mattress. Use the hottest temperature allowed on the care label to help remove dust mites and the particles they leave behind.
- Wash with a mild laundry detergent on a hot cycle, paying attention to care labels for thicker items like doonas and pillows.
- Dry items fully in direct sunlight when possible, as fresh air and warmth help reduce lingering moisture.
- Finish with a hot dryer cycle if outdoor drying is not an option or if items still feel even slightly damp.
If you need a detailed step-by-step, use our guides on washing your cotton bedding, bamboo bedding, and silk sheets.
Use Baking Soda & Vacuum
This approach suits fabric-covered mattresses and works best as part of regular upkeep. It helps lift surface debris and reduce moisture where dust mites tend to settle.
- Sprinkle baking soda evenly across the mattress, paying extra attention to the sleeping area.
- Leave it to sit for at least 15 minutes, then vacuum slowly using a hose or upholstery attachment.
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap fine particles instead of pushing them back into the air.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning uses heat to deal with dust mites without adding chemicals to your sleep space. It works best for deeper cleaning when surface methods are not enough.
- Use a steam cleaner made for upholstery and check that it is safe for mattress fabrics.
- Move slowly across the surface, focusing on seams and high-contact areas where mites collect.
- Let the mattress dry fully before putting bedding back on to avoid trapping moisture.
Chemical-Free & Natural Remedies
Natural options can help reduce dust mites, especially when used alongside your regular mattress cleaning. They tend to work gradually, so consistency matters more than quick results.
- Mix essential oils with water using options like tea tree or eucalyptus, then lightly mist bedding and mattress surfaces.
- Test sprays on a small area first to check for fabric reactions before wider use.
- Use natural methods as ongoing support, not a one-off fix, to help keep mite levels down over time.
Call in a Professional
If symptoms persist despite regular cleaning, a professional mattress service can help reduce dust mites more thoroughly.
This option suits severe allergies or long-standing issues, but it is best used as a follow-up rather than a first step.
6 Tips to Prevent Dust Mites in Mattresses
You cannot keep dust mites out forever, but you can make your bed a far less comfortable place for them to live.
1. Use A Good Mattress Protector
Firstly, use a washable mattress protector to create a barrier between you and the mattress surface. This helps limit what sinks into the fibres.
Look for one that fits snugly and does not crinkle or trap heat. Wash it every one to two weeks, or whenever you wash your sheets.
2. Wash Bedding On A Routine
Set a weekly wash routine for sheets and pillowcases, using the hottest safe temperature. Wash pillows and doonas as needed to keep buildup under control.
Keep in mind: Clean bedding removes the flakes and residue mites live on.
3. Keep Humidity Down
Dust mites thrive in damp spaces, so a dry bedroom matters.
Open windows when the weather allows, run extraction fans after showers, and consider a dehumidifier if your room often feels muggy. If the air feels sticky, mites tend to feel settled.
4. Let The Bed Breathe Each Morning
This is a small habit many people skip. Making the bed straight away can trap overnight moisture inside the bedding.
Pull back the doona for 10 to 20 minutes, let air circulate, and use that window to turn up your air purifier if you have one before tidying up.
5. Reduce Dust Traps Near The Bed
We get it. One comfort toy is usually non-negotiable.
Soft toys, decorative cushions, and extra throws do collect dust and skin flakes, though. Keeping a few favourites and storing the rest elsewhere helps limit buildup and makes cleaning quicker.
6. Clean The Space Around The Bed Too
Your mattress should not be doing all the hard work on its own. Dust settles on floors, skirting boards, and bedside tables, then drifts straight back onto the bed.
A regular clean of the whole room helps, and if you need a hand, our guide on how to clean your bedroom walks through it step by step.
Invest in a Mattress for Allergies
If allergies keep flaring up, it might be time to look at what you are sleeping on, not just how you’re learning new ways to kill dust mites.
Start by choosing allergy-friendly mattresses and protective layers, and check in with your doctor if symptoms keep returning, to help create a cleaner sleep space from day one.
Our range of hypoallergenic mattresses, pillows, and bedding helps you build a more sneeze-proof setup without turning your bedroom into a clinic. Add one of our quality mattress protectors for an extra barrier between you and what settles in over time.
Have a browse through our store and give your sleep space a fresh start!