How-to
Dust mites and pet dander in the bedroom
Wash the bedding in hot water and vacuum every week, damp-dust often, keep the humidity at or below 50 percent, and keep pets out of an allergic person's bedroom.
Satisfy+ Editorial · Updated October 3, 2026 · 2 min read · 49 min to do · Free
At a glance
- Bedding
- Hot water, 130 to 140°F, once a week
- Humidity
- At or below 50 percent
- Dusting
- A damp cloth, never a dry one
- Pets
- Out of the allergic person's bedroom
Dust mites are tiny bugs too small to see, and every home has them. They feed on flakes of skin shed by people and pets, and live in mattresses, pillows, bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, curtains and stuffed toys. Their body parts and droppings can trigger asthma and allergies. No home can get rid of them completely, but their numbers can be cut.
Pet allergens come from skin flakes, saliva, urine and hair. They spread easily, float in the air, stay in carpets and furniture for months, and travel on clothing into rooms the pet never enters.
What you need
- A washing machine with a hot cycle
- A vacuum cleaner
- A damp cloth or mop
- A humidity gauge, or a dehumidifier or air conditioner with a humidity reading
Steps
- 1
Strip and wash the bedding
Wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets in hot water, 130 to 140°F, to kill dust mites. Dry everything completely.
10 min
- 2
Freeze what can't be washed
Bedding that can't go in the washer can be frozen overnight.
5 min
- 3
Wash the stuffed toys
Wash them in hot water and dry them completely before a child plays with them again.
5 min
- 4
Damp-dust the room
Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth or mop. A dry cloth stirs the allergens back into the air.
10 min
- 5
Vacuum carpets and furniture
Vacuum the carpet and upholstered furniture. Anyone with allergies or asthma should stay out of the room while it's vacuumed and for 20 minutes after, while the dust settles. Wear a mask while you vacuum.
15 min
- 6
Close the bedroom to pets
Keep pets out of the allergic person's bedroom and off the furniture.
2 min
- 7
Check the humidity
Keep it at or below 50 percent, running a dehumidifier or the air conditioner if needed.
2 min
Cut the allergens in the bedroom
- Wash the bedding in hot water
- Vacuum the bedroom carpet and upholstered furniture
- Keep the pets out of the allergic person's bedroom
Living with a pet
- Wash up after playing. Wash your hands and change or wash your clothes after handling the pet, so the dander doesn't travel.
- Keep pets off the furniture and out of the car.
- Bathe the dog. Regular baths may cut a dog's allergens.
- Avoid soiled litter. Keep the allergic person away from the litter box.
- Vacuum while the allergic person is away.
People who think they're allergic to dust mites or a pet can be tested by a doctor.
FAQ
How often should I wash bedding for dust mites?
Once a week, in hot water at 130 to 140°F, then dry it completely.
What humidity kills dust mites?
Keeping the humidity at or below 50 percent cuts their numbers.
How do I reduce pet dander in the bedroom?
Keep the pet out of the allergic person's bedroom and off the furniture, and vacuum while that person is away. Wash your hands and clothes after handling the pet.
Sources
Checked October 20, 2026
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Dust mites and cockroaches (2026)
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Pet allergens (2026)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Asthma triggers: gain control (2026)
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