Millions of mites colonize our beds! A nightmare for allergy sufferers, unhealthy for children – and disgusting for everyone. Mite vacuums are a simple solution to house dust allergies.
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The nose runs and closes up, eyes itch and water, breathing is difficult. There is often a colloquial “house dust allergy” behind it. But the trigger for the symptoms is much more disgusting: It is the droppings of arachnids that feed on dander in the bed! Would you like something like that in bed? If not, then you should definitely read this guide to bed mites.
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“House dust allergy”? The droppings of arachnids in the bed as a trigger
Most allergies to house dust are reactions to the droppings and body debris of microscopic arachnids called house dust mites. From a medical point of view, the common term “house dust allergy” is not entirely correct. Because it is not the dust itself that triggers the typical allergic reactions, but the protein components contained in the faeces and in the body of the mites.
Dust mites are only about 0.1 millimeters in size and are barely visible to the naked eye. The disgusting pests feed mainly on the dander that people secrete every day. Mites prefer to snuggle up in our beds. Mattresses are the perfect living space, because a lot of dead skin is rubbed off there when you lie down. A feast for dust mites. The warmth and relatively high humidity in bed also contribute to the fact that mites love the bed. Upholstered furniture and carpets also offer them optimal survival conditions, as dander that the mites can eat accumulate there every day.
Good to know
Although the dust mite and excrement components mainly accumulate on the mattress, they are also distributed on carpets, floors, curtains and sofas. Every movement, such as vacuum cleaning or making the bed, stirs up the contaminated dust. The dried material breaks down into fine particles, disperses in the air and can settle on the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose and deep airways.
When cleaning and dusting no longer helps
Cleaning alone is often not enough to effectively combat house dust mites. Because they multiply incredibly quickly and hide well.
- Dust mites are microscopic. They also live in hard-to-reach areas such as mattresses, carpets, upholstered furniture, and curtains. Even thorough vacuuming cannot remove them completely.
- Allergy-triggering mite droppings and body remains can be distributed in house dust and deposited on surfaces. They are so light that they simply “fly away” and quickly accumulate again after cleaning.
- Dust mites prefer a warm and humid environment. Even if you clean regularly, the conditions in your home can still be ideal for mites.
- Dust mites are masters at hiding! They settle in tiny crevices and cracks that cannot be reached with normal cleaning. Textiles such as pillows, blankets, carpets and mattresses in particular can never be freed from mites with normal cleaning methods.
Mite vacuum – the best solution against nasty beasts
Special mite vacuums are devices that have been specially developed to fight mites. They typically use multiple technologies to create their effects:
- vibrations shake the mites out of their hiding place and detach them from the surface.
- Mite suckers have an extremely strong suction powerto capture the loosened mites.
- Specific high performance filter catch both the mites and their allergenic components such as faeces and body remains. These filters often come with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) filter that captures very fine particles, preventing the spread of airborne allergens.
- Some mite vacuums also use UV-C light. This has a disinfecting effect and can help kill mites and microorganisms.
The best mite vacuums in the test with a top price-performance ratio
In June 2023, the experts from the test editorial team at AllesBeste put various dust mite vacuum cleaners through their paces. We have summarized for you here which models perform well in the test and other models that are really recommendable.
Prize winner: CLEANmaxx mattress cleaning device with UV-C light
Ideal for vacuuming & disinfecting mattresses, duvets, pillows, washable HEPA filter, recommended for people who are allergic to house dust, UV-C light destroys 99.9% of all mites
Mite hand vacuum cleaner with sterilization function
Vacuum cleaner vibrates and oscillates, UV sterilization against mites and allergens as well as bacteria, bagless, with a practical, removable dust container
Price: €44.99 instead €79.99
Test winner Jimmy JV35 mite vacuum
High suction power plus rotating brush and vibrations for optimal dirt removal, UV lamp with a powerful 15 watts and additional mite control with heat
Price: €149.99
Price-performance tip: Hoover Ultra Vortex dust mite vacuum
Removes up to 99.9% of all bacteria, allergens and house dust mites, 3 vacuum/V-lamp/brush roller modes can be used individually, so can also be used as a conventional hand-held vacuum cleaner against pet hair, awarded by the British Allergy Foundation
Specialist for the bed: Mamibot UV LITE 200 bed mattress vacuum cleaner
Suitable for allergy sufferers thanks to the fine-meshed HEPA filter, cordless battery operation, patented U-type UV lamp removes up to 99.99% of mites from mattresses, pillows, carpets and curtains
Price: €119
You can read more about this topic in our article: Do you cuddle with mites? How to keep your bedroom really hygienically clean
Saving tip: mite attachment nozzles for vacuum cleaners
You don’t want to or can’t invest extra in a mite vacuum? There is an alternative. Many well-known vacuum cleaner manufacturers offer special anti-mite nozzles for retrofitting. Like other attachments, these can also be easily connected to the normal vacuum cleaner.
Dirt Devil M266 mite nozzle
On/off switch for integrated UV-C light and vibration, over 3000 vibrations/minute, contact sensor with UV-C light automatic switch-off
Price: €18.99
Mite nozzle for Dyson vacuum cleaner V7, V8, V10, V11, V15,
Also removes deep-seated mites and allergens with a rotating brush and vibration, also ideal for animal hair on carpets and upholstered furniture, suitable for sensitive surfaces such as parquet, laminate, tiles, quiet and powerful motor
Price: €76.02 instead €96.02
Mite nozzles from other manufacturers and brands
Do I suffer from a house dust or dust mite allergy?
Ultimately, only a doctor can say with absolute certainty whether you actually have an allergy to house dust or dust mites. Nevertheless, you should pay attention if you suffer from the following symptoms:
- Stuffy, runny nose and sneezing attacks
- Red eyes with itching or burning and tears
- coughing
- Heavy breathing or wheezing
- Sometimes itching, reddening of the skin and hives
These symptoms are most severe at night and in the morning, because you are most exposed to allergens on your mattress while you sleep. The symptoms also often occur when making the bed, vacuuming, tidying up or cleaning. Then the dust is whirled up with the mite droppings and inhaled.
This article was created with the help of machines and carefully checked by the editor Nina Dudek before publication.