Down comforters are cozy and warm bedding that many people enjoy curling up under on cold winter nights. However, their fluffy down fill comes with an unwanted guest for those with dust mite allergies – the microscopic bugs that cause misery for millions.
This in-depth beginner’s guide will give you the 411 on what exactly dust mites are, whether they really infest down comforters and bedding, how to prevent exposure to them, and tips for choosing hypoallergenic down and synthetic bedding options so you can sleep soundly without allergy angst.
What are Dust Mites?
Let’s start with what dust mites actually are. Dust mites are tiny critters, about 0.3 mm long, that feed on the dead skin cells people naturally shed every day.
They thrive in warm, humid environments where they have a constant food supply. It only takes about 100 hours, or less than 5 days, for a dust mite egg to hatch and grow into a reproducing adult mite capable of laying 30 to 50 eggs itself in its roughly month-long lifespan.
As you spend a third of your life snoozing in bed, down comforters, pillows, and other bedding easily satisfy a dust mite’s requirements to multiply like crazy. Their waste and decaying bodies build up and cause allergies or worsen asthma in people susceptible to their irritating particles.
Can Dust Mites Live in Down Comforters?
The short answer – you betcha. The inner filling of cushy down comforters consists of fine, fluffy down feathers or goose down. This creates air spaces perfect for trapping dust mite allergens and moisture.
While mites won’t actually burrow into the feathers themselves, they will happily take up residence on down bedding and rapidly reproduce because it:
- Stays warm from your body heat – comforting for you, inviting to them
- Collects flakes of dead skin to eat – their source of food
- Allows moisture to accumulate – crucial for their survival
- Isn’t washed frequently like sheets – gives them stable housing
Without proper care, your cozy down comforter can transform into a lush dust mite hotel with all the amenities a mite loves.
Do All Down Comforters Have Dust Mites?
Technically…yes. But before you throw out your down comforter in frustration, know that dust mite infestations can be avoided, controlled, and killed by:
- Frequently washing bedding in hot water
- Using protective covers
- Controlling humidity and moisture
- Freezing items like pillows to kill mites
- Choosing hypoallergenic bedding when buying
While mites may show up at some point, you CAN effectively evict them and create an inhospitable environment so they move out for good.
Later we will cover pro tips for making your bed an unpleasant place for dust mites to crash, even in cozy down comforters. But first, let’s look at why these microscopic bugs are problematic in the first place.
Why You Should Care About Dust Mites
You can’t see dust mites with the naked eye, but their impact on human health is huge. Dust mites don’t directly bite or sting people; it’s an immune reaction to their waste and body parts that causes issues for millions with allergies and asthma.
Allergy Misery
Here’s how dust mite allergy suffering plays out:
- Dust mites thrive in bedding, releasing allergens into the air
- Someone inhales the allergens, triggering specialized antibodies
- When antibodies sense allergens, they signal release of histamine
- Histamine causes irritating allergy symptoms like coughing, sneezing, congestion, rashes, and sinus pain
Allergy symptoms often plague sufferers year-round if dust mites are left to accumulate in bedding. Kids are most prone to developing dust mite allergies that may lead to chronic issues like rhinitis and eczema too.
Asthma Attacks
Allergens from dust mites can also provoke asthma attacks and make symptoms worse, even landing people in the hospital.
Asthma involves inflammation and narrowing in the bronchial airways. Allergens irritate already-sensitive airways, restricting airflow and making it tough to breathe. Serious attacks require immediate medical treatment to open airways.
By managing dust mite populations in bedrooms and bedding, both allergy and asthma suffers can alleviate annoying and even dangerous symptoms.
Now that you know why dust mites deserve bouncer-style eviction from bedrooms, let’s explore common misconceptions about down bedding and mites.
Down Comforter Dust Mite Myths
Given how suitable down comforters seem for dust mites, myths abound on whether feather bedding attracts mites. Let’s separate fact from fiction:
Myth: All down and feather bedding contains dust mites
Fact: Not necessarily – it depends on the care and handling. Properly cared for down can stay dust-mite free.
Myth: Down bedding should be avoided if you have allergies
Fact: Hypoallergenic down comforters are made for allergy sufferers.
Myth: Synthetic comforters never have dust mites
Fact: They can still get mites, but less easily as they don’t promote moisture retention.
Myth: Dust mites don’t show up in places other than beds
Fact: Mites accumulate anywhere there is shed human skin and moisture. Couches, curtains, stuffed animals and carpets are also problematic sites.
Now let’s get into nitty-gritty details on kicking dust mite derrieres to the curb so you can bed down without stuffiness and sneezing!
Kicking Mites to the Curb: Bedroom Prevention Tips
Turning your bedroom into an inhospitable environment is key to ensuring pesky dust mites don’t take up long term residency in bedding. Follow these crucial steps to banish mites:
Choose Bedding Wisely
Start by choosing bedding products designed to deter mites:
- Hypoallergenic down comforters
- Protective mattress covers
- Synthetic pillows instead of feather
- Dust-mite resistant bedding with a high thread count of over 200
High thread count cotton makes it harder for mites to penetrate inside comforters and linens.
Wash Regularly
Wash sheets weekly and down comforters several times a year in hot 130°F (54°C) water to kill mites and remove allergens. If bedding is expensive or delicate, using sanitizer chemicals works well too.
Use Protective Covers
Encase pillows and mattresses in dust mite-proof covers woven too tight for mites to get through. This isolates them from food sources so populations die off.
Manage Humidity
Use a dehumidifier to keep bedroom humidity under 50% to discourage mites, along with ventilation improvements and moisture-resistant bedding fabrics.
Alternative Hypoallergenic Comforter Options
If want to ditch feather bedding altogether, several types of hypoallergenic comforters make excellent down alternatives:
| Comforter Type | Dust Mite Resistant? | Price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Polyester | Yes | $ | Cheap, easy to clean | Not breathable, noisy, pills over time |
| Primaloft | Yes | $$ | Mimics down feel | Not 100% mite proof |
| Wool | Yes | $$$ | Natural mite deterrent, breathable | Expensive, needs special cleaning |
| Silk | Partial | $$$ | Lightweight, soft | Needs added mite-proof lining |
| Cotton | Partial | $$ | Natural fibers | Needs barrier fabric |
Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands: DIY Mite Defense
Don’t want to replace your beloved down comforter? Use these DIY tips to banish mites for good:
- Wash bedding in very hot 130°F (54°C) water
- Freeze pillows or stuffed animals for 24-48 hours to kill mites – then seal in plastic bags
- Vacuum carpeted floors and furniture weekly with a HEPA filter
- Keep humidity low with AC and dehumidifiers
- Buy allergen-reducing spray for bedding and furniture
- Use mattress and pillow encasements
The Takeaway: Yes, Down Can Get Dusted with Mites
In summary, it’s true that down comforters’ structure can harbor dust mites in the perfect warm, moist environment they need to multiply. However, with proper precautions like regular hot cycles in the washing machine, dust-mite proof covers, controlling moisture, and keeping bedrooms clean, you can thwart mite infestations.
Being proactive allows you to enjoy snuggly feather bedding without suffering allergy misery. And if giving up still seems wise for your situation, hypoallergenic options like synthetic and wool comforters let you sleep cozily too.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should you wash a down comforter to keep dust mites away?
To deter dust mites in down comforters, wash them 2-3 times per year in hot water at 130°F (54°C) to kill mites and remove allergens. You can also add a sanitizing chemical to the wash.
2. Can freezing kill dust mites in pillows and bedding?
Yes, freezing items like pillows, stuffed toys and down comforters for 24-48 hours at subzero temperatures is an effective way to kill dust mites. Just check the item’s care label first.
3. What fabric is best for dust mite prevention in bedding?
Fabrics tightly woven with a high thread count over 200 make it hardest for microscopic dust mites to burrow in. High thread count cotton and special dust-mite resistant microfibers are best.
4. Do I really need to buy dust mite mattress and pillow covers?
Yes, encasements create a full dust-mite proof barrier so these bed bugs have no direct access to you or food sources. This starves them out so they eventually die off.
5. Can you be allergic to down but not duck feathers?
It’s possible. About 95% test positive to both duck and goose down bedding, while 5% react to only one type. Opt for synthetic bedding if unsure what specifically triggers your allergy symptoms.
