The hot and humid days continue even into September. This hot and humid environment is comfortable for mites and makes it easy for them to breed.
Some people may think that they are safe because they clean their rooms and frequently wash their clothes and bedding to get rid of dust mites, but the truth is that living dust mites cannot be removed by washing.
Sharing Technology (headquartered in Nagoya City), which operates a platform called “Pest Extermination 110”, provides information on how to get rid of dust mites on clothing and bedding, etc., to solve problems caused by insect damage such as dust mites, ants, and bees. We asked the person in charge of public relations about key points and precautions.
Live mites cannot be removed by washing!?
It seems that living dust mites cannot be removed by washing, but what is the reason for this?
“Living mites cling to the fibers of clothing with great strength, so they cannot be washed away by washing them several times in a household washing machine.
You might think that the ingredients in detergents will kill them, but mites are so resilient that they can survive for several days even if left in detergent.
Therefore, we need to think of ways to deal with living dust mites, assuming that washing cannot get rid of them.” (Sharing Technology spokesperson)
Living mites cannot be removed by washing, but can dead mites and droppings also be washed away?
“It is possible to wash away carcasses and droppings to some extent by washing.Carcasses and droppings can cause allergies, so if the purpose is to wash away carcasses and droppings after removing dust mites from clothing and bedding, washing is not recommended. It can be said to be effective.
However, if you do not remove live mites, they will continue to multiply in your clothes and bedding. Furthermore, with home washing machines, there is a possibility that live mites that cannot be exterminated may be transferred to other clothing during washing.
Let’s understand the correct points and get rid of live mites from clothing and bedding.” (same)
Tips on how to properly remove dust mites from clothing
What are some ways to get rid of live mites hiding in clothing?
“Mites are creatures that are sensitive to dryness and high temperatures.It is said that they will die in 30 minutes at 50℃ and in an instant at 60℃.
The hot-air drying function of drum-type washing machines and the hot-air drying machines of coin laundry machines reach higher temperatures, so they can kill dust mites.
Use a hot air dryer to remove live mites. Then, thoroughly remove the carcasses and droppings by washing them in a washing machine or vacuuming them up.”
Is there an effective solution even if I cannot use a hot air dryer?
“If your clothes are safe to be ironed, you can iron them to kill dust mites.
Additionally, clothing that has grown mites can be killed by soaking them in hot water at 50℃ or higher for at least 30 minutes.
However, it is best to avoid using these methods for clothing made of delicate materials, as exposing them to high-temperature water may discolor or damage the fabric.
Tips on how to properly remove dust mites from futons
In addition to clothing, bedding is also a breeding ground for dust mites. What are some tips for getting rid of dust mites on futons other than washing?
“As mentioned earlier, dust mites are creatures that are sensitive to dryness and high temperatures. Even commercially available home futon dryers can heat futons up to 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, so if you run the futon dryer properly, you can kill the dust mites. It is possible.
It is said that using a dryer twice a day for three consecutive days is effective for getting rid of dust mites. This is because it is said that only 30% of dust mites can be killed with one use.
There are also futon dryers on the market that have special functions to exterminate dust mites. There are a variety of products, from those that take effect in 1 to 2 hours to those that require around 6 hours, so please follow the instructions.
To suppress the reproduction of mites, do this once a week during this time of year when the lingering heat is severe. Even in winter, try to use the futon dryer at least once a month.” (same)
Is it effective to dry your futon in the sun?
“Hanging your futon on a sunny day dries the futon and creates an environment that is difficult for dust mites to live in. If you continue to do this, it can be said to be an effective method for preventing dust mites.
However, even if it’s a sunny day, drying in the sun alone won’t get rid of live mites. Dust mites survive by fleeing to areas that are not exposed to sunlight before their body temperature rises.
If you use a vacuum cleaner after drying the futon or drying it in the sun, it is possible to remove dust mites, dead dust mite bodies, and droppings on the surface, but it is difficult to vacuum up the dust mites inside.
Commercially available tick-repelling sheets may take several weeks to become effective, but they are said to be effective at catching dust mites and claw mites.
If you try these methods and still don’t seem to have any effect on getting rid of dust mites, consider taking your futon to a specialty cleaning store and having it thoroughly washed and cleaned.
It looks like the lingering heat of September will continue for a while. Make sure to thoroughly remove dust mites from your clothes and bedding to make your life as comfortable as possible.
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Interview cooperation/Sharing technology “Pest extermination number 110” (
2023-09-20 20:00:00
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