Bedding

• Cover your mattress and pillows with covers specifically designed to control dust mites. These covers are usually made of vinyl or tightly woven fabrics. This will prevent the dust mites for colonizing in your bed.
  
  Cover the box spring in a plastic or vinyl cover.
  
  Wash all bed lines at least once a week in hot water. Temperature should be at least 130 Fahrenheit. Hot water will kill the mites. Dry on as high a heat as possible. If you must wash in cooler water add some Borax to the wash to kill the mites.
  
  Purchase only linens that can be washed on a regular basis. Avoid down or wool products. Dry cleaning will not remove all the allergens.
  
  Avoid bunk beds and canopies. These can add to a dark, moist environment for the mites.
  
  Keep pets off of your bed. Dust mites love pet dander.
  
  Replace pillows every six months. More than 25 percent of the weight of a pillow can be composed of skin cells and dust mites.
  
  

Flooring

• Vacuum regularly. Include rugs, upholstered furniture and window treatments. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
  
  Remove as many rugs as possible. Hardwood floors are less appealing to the dust mites.
  
  Mop with a damp, not wet, mop. This will keep the dust for re-entering the air.
  
  Place rugs, and non-washable blankets, in direct sunlight for at least three hours to kill mites.
  Steam clean floors and carpets if possible. This provides an extra hot cleaning, which will kill more mites.
  
  Wash area rugs in hot water with Borax.
  
  

Humidity

• Run a de-humidifier on a regular basis. Keep the humidity as low as possible. An air conditioner can also reduce humidity.
  
  Measure the humidity in your home with a hygrometer. Humidity should be maintained at 50 percent or less.
  
  Repair any leaks or plumbing issues, which could add moisture to the air.
  
  

Other

• Minimize the amount of clutter in your home. Give dust mites less places to multiply.
  
  Place any nonwashable, favorite stuffed animals in the freezer at least once a week. Wash any washable stuffed animals in hot water at least once a week. Reduce the amount of stuffed animals in your home and do not keep stuffed animals on beds.
  
  Wash all window treatments on a regular basis.