Mattress mites: how they appear, what they cause and 7 ways to get rid of them

Mites are microscopic organisms, invisible to the naked eye, that live in almost every home. They are found mostly in mattresses, pillows, sofas, rugs and curtains, and they do not mean your home is dirty. You cannot get rid of them completely, but you can keep them down with seven simple habits.

How they appear

Mites feed on the dead skin cells and the hair that people naturally shed. That is why they live close to us, and the bed is one of their favourite places. They like warmth and humidity, and their presence has to do with these conditions in the room, not with how much you clean.

In the mattress they find everything they like: we spend many hours there every night, the body gives off warmth and a little moisture, and dead skin cells keep falling. That is why the bed is the place that deserves the most attention.

They do not bite. The problem is that their particles may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to them.

What they may cause

In people who are allergic, mites may cause a stuffy nose, sneezing, a runny nose and itching of the nose and eyes, often stronger when you wake up in the morning. The same symptoms can have other causes, so if you are often troubled, talk to a doctor and do not assume the mattress is to blame.

7 ways to keep them down

You do not need special products or complicated procedures. A few habits are enough that reduce the moisture and the debris the mites feed on, and that also make the room more pleasant.

1. Air it every day. Open the bedroom window for half an hour in the morning and let the mattress air, by uncovering it before you make the bed. Fresh air and daylight do not let moisture gather.
2. Keep moderate humidity. The room should be neither too humid nor too dry. Around 50% is often suggested. If your home is damp, a dehumidifier helps.
3. Wash the sheets regularly. Wash sheets and pillowcases regularly, as hot as the label allows, and dry them well.
4. Use a mattress protector. A good-quality, removable protector (επίστρωμα) that you wash often keeps sweat and dead skin cells away from the mattress and lets you clean it easily.
5. Vacuum the mattress. With a clean vacuum cleaner and a clean filter, go over the whole surface and the edges. If you are allergic, ask someone else to do it.
6. Turn the mattress. A double-sided mattress is turned over every six months. A mattress with a pillowtop, or with layers on its top side only, is turned head to foot every six months. This way it wears evenly and also airs from the other side.
7. Replace the mattress when it has worn out. A mattress that is many years old, sags and no longer supports you is not only a problem for your back. It also gathers more dust. Also leave a gap of 1–2 cm around the mattress in the bed, so that it can air.

What to avoid

Do not wet the mattress to clean it, and do not cover it while it is still damp or warm from sleep. The moisture that stays inside helps mites and can lead to mould. If something spills, dry it well and let it air.

And the pillows

Mites do not live only in the mattress. Pillows and bedding need the same care: airing, cleaning and replacement when they wear out. Browse the pillows if it is time to refresh yours.

When to talk to a doctor

If symptoms persist, get worse at night or you have asthma, talk to a doctor. A doctor can tell you whether it is an allergy and what to do, and the mattress is only one part of the picture.

In short

Mites are a normal part of a home and do not mean you do not clean. With airing, moderate humidity, clean sheets, a protector and a mattress that you look after and replace when needed, you keep them at low levels. If you are looking for a new mattress, browse the mattresses, or ask Sleep Match, which suggests mattresses according to how you sleep and what you like.