It’s quite gross to think about, but mites are most likely living on your pillows right now. These tiny creatures are invisible to the naked eye and feed on dead skin cells. They can cause allergy-like symptoms such as itching, coughing, and sneezing.
If you want to get rid of these tiny creatures on your pillows, here are some helpful tips.
Wash Your Pillows Regularly
The easiest way to get rid of mites on your pillows is by washing them regularly. It’s important to wash them every few weeks to get rid of dead skin cells, dust, and mites that accumulate over time.
Put your pillows in the washing machine and add a small amount of liquid laundry detergent. Wash them on a gentle cycle with lukewarm water. Ensure you rinse the pillows thoroughly to get rid of any detergent or fabric softener residue. Finally, put them in the dryer on a low heat setting until they are completely dry before use.
Freeze Your Pillows
If you want to avoid washing your pillows too frequently, another way to get rid of mites is by freezing them. Put your pillows in a plastic bag and seal it tightly, ensuring that all the air is out of the bag.
Place the bag in the freezer for at least 48 hours. This process freezes and kills the mites, so they can’t continue to multiply. After 48 hours, remove the pillows from the freezer and let them thaw out before using them again.
Use Anti-Mite Covers
Covers or protectors made specifically for pillows eliminate direct contact of mites with the person’s skin and don’t allow dead skin cells to accumulate on any surface below.
Anti-mite pillow covers are made using synthetic materials, and which stop the mites from passing through to the pillow. Use these covers on all your pillows to prevent mites from multiplying and causing allergy-like symptoms.
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Keeping your pillows mite-free
Vacuum Your Pillows
Vacuuming your pillows is a great way to remove any dust and dead skin cells that mites feed on. To do this, use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a clean upholstery attachment.
Start vacuuming your pillow from the top to the bottom, ensuring that you cover both sides of the pillow. If you do this regularly, it can help to reduce the mite population.
Sun Dry Your Pillows
Mites prefer dark and damp environments, so exposing your pillows to sunlight and fresh air can help to get rid of them. Take your pillows outside on a sunny day and leave them in an open space for at least an hour.
The sunlight and fresh air will help to kill the mites and eliminate any moisture that they prefer.
Replace Your Pillows
If you’ve tried all the above methods and you still can’t get rid of the mites, it’s time to replace your pillows.
Depending on the quality of your pillows, they can wear down after a certain amount of time and lose their shape, thereby keeping in mites. It is recommended that you replace your pillows every one to two years.
Conclusion
Getting rid of mites on your pillows is essential for good health and a good night’s sleep. Regular vacuuming, washing, freezing, sun drying, and using anti-mite covers are some of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent mite infestation.
Replacing your pillows every one or two years is also a good idea to better get rid of them. By following these tips, you should be well on your way to a mite-free sleeping environment.
