Vapor Steam Vapor steam-cleaning (using a small machine that heats surfaces with dry steam) kills fungus, dust mites, bacteria, and other undesirables. This is a good way to clean bedding that you can't launder, such as mattresses.
Mix one cup of baking soda with a few drops of essential oil of your choice. Then simply sprinkle baking soda on the mattress and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then vacuum it all off using the hose attachment to suck up all the baking soda fully. . This will suck up the dust mites along with the baking soda.
Steam cleaning – sweat, dirt and stains can easily penetrate beyond the top layer of your mattress so treat it to a steam clean every few months. Vacuum the mattress first, run the steam cleaner across the whole surface then allow to dry.
To lure bed bugs out of their hiding spots, you can use a steamer or a hairdryer to heat areas such as mattresses. Neither of these is hot enough to kill the bed bugs, but it can trick them into thinking a human host is near. You can also keep an eye out at night to locate their nests when they are most active.
It often takes 2 or 3 times for steaming to kill all of the bed bugs since they may move to escape the steam, or you might miss an area. Plan to repeat the steam treatment a few hours later or the following day. Don't wait more than a few days to repeat the treatment because bed bugs multiply quickly!
Leave the mattress for about four hours to dry. Steam cleaning a mattress does not leave behind water, but it's possible there's still a bit of moisture left deep inside from the initial spill. It's best if your mattress can dry in a warm spot out in the sun.
Steam cleaning a mattress is an environmentally friendly way to rid your mattress of dust mites, smells, dirt, dead skin cells, bed bugs, and bacteria. Steam cleaning your mattress will help you to sleep better by removing any allergens and allowing you rest easier knowing the bed is clean.
Fortunately, bed bugs have one true weakness: heat. As resilient as they seem, all it takes to kill them is exposure to a steam temperature of at least 120°F / 48°C (the higher the better). This is why Dupray steam cleaners are your best option to exterminate bed bugs, as they produce lethal high temperature steam.
Steam Kills Dust Mites and Their Eggs Instantly.
Dust mites are repulsed by the smell of Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavendar, Peppermint, and Rosemary. Make your own aromatic spray by adding a few drops of one (or more) of those essential oils in a water-filled spray bottle.
Essential oils contain compounds that repel or kill insects, including dust mites. The best essential oils for getting rid of dust mites are clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus oil. Add 20 drops of oil to four ounces of witch hazel, and spray your mattress, couch, drapes, and other dust mite hangouts.
Use dust-proof pillow and mattress covers made from a tight-weave fabric that keeps out dust and mites. Use furniture made of wood, plastic, leather, or vinyl (including vinyl mattress covers) that you can wipe clean. Remove rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting.
These can come from both animals and humans, found in mattresses, carpeted areas, lounging areas and furniture. Numerous dust mites have a short life span of 10-30 days. But, depending on the environment and moisture conditions, females can live up to 70 days – and lay hundreds of eggs.
While the main use for a steamer is to get rid of wrinkles and creases on clothes, “You can use steamers on carpets, curtains, armchairs, blankets, pillows, ovens, tiles and even mattresses too,” says Frej Lewenhaupt, CEO and Co-Founder of the Stockholm-based steamer company, Steamery.
A small household, may only need their carpet steam cleaned once every 12 months, whereas a family home with young children and pets may require having carpet steam cleaned every 3-6 months.
A steam cleaner will clean your mattress and eliminate stains without you having to put in too much work. Steam that reaches between 212 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bacteria, dust mites, and break down stains for effective removal.
To dry a damp mattress fast, take steps to absorb the excess moisture using a towel. Then use a vacuum or hair dryer to dry the area. Sprinkle some cat litter or baking soda over the mattress surface to soak up the moisture and put it under a fan to dry quickly.
For an average size room (generally up to 300 square feet, although room sizes may vary by location), it typically takes 30-60 minutes to complete the cleaning process. Learn more here.
Repeated vacuuming will help control an infestation. Bed bug eggs are usually hard to remove, and adult bed bugs congregate in areas that have been previously infested. Check and re-check these areas to help reduce the bed bug population in your home.
One of the frequently asked questions is: “when can I be sure the bed bugs are gone?” After three weeks of professional treatment, if you don't notice any signs of infestation like bites, live bugs, fecal matter or casts skins, then it is likely that the bed bug infestation has been controlled.