No matter how often you clean, it can seem like a film of dust bunnies springs up the next day. But there are easy ways to help diminish dust mites—and the dust allergy symptoms that come with them.
Tips for Dust Allergy Sufferers
Dust mites are eight-legged, microscopic bugs that live off of dead human skin and pet dander in dust particles. They’re found lurking wherever dust collects—in household fabrics like pillows and blankets, on top of the fridge, under the oven, on knickknacks, and in virtually every nook and cranny of your home.
Although it’s not possible to rid your home entirely of this common indoor allergy trigger, you can find tips for helping reduce dust and the allergy symptoms that come with it below.
Keep Dust Bunnies at Bay
- Put allergen-barrier dust-mite covers on your beds, mattresses, box springs and especially the pillows.
- Vacuum every week with a HEPA filter or double bag. And be sure to stay out of the vacuumed area for 20 minutes to allow any dust you didn’t catch to settle.2
- Dust with a damp sponge or mop regularly. A dry cloth just stirs up dust mites. Wear a dust mask and gloves while cleaning to help reduce your exposure to dust allergens.
- Replace wall-to-wall carpets with a hard-surface floor, if possible.
Manage Moisture
- Keep the relative humidity in your home below 50 percent.
- Get an inexpensive hygrometer (humidity monitor) at the hardware store to measure your home’s humidity, so you can make adjustments when needed.
- Place a dehumidifier in damp areas to keep humidity in check.
Filter Out Dust5
- Put a HEPA filter with a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of 11 or 12 in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. You can find the rating listed on the packaging.
- Be sure to change the filter and have your HVAC unit inspected and serviced regularly.
References
Surface Dust. Home Air Check. Accessed February 16, 2026.
Dust Mites. National Institute of Environmental Health Services. Accessed December 26, 2017.
CINTEZA, M., & DAIAN, C. (2014). House Dust Mite – the Paradox. Mædica, 9(4), 313–315. Accessed January 13, 2018.
Dust Mite Allergy. Mayo Clinic. Accessed September 10, 2017.
Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? United States Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed December 26, 2017.
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