Dust mites are microscopic bugs. They eat our dead skin and dandruff. They are in the highest concentrations in our pillows and mattresses. House dust is NOT the same thing as dust mites. House dust is a combination of many things including pollens, pet allergen, molds, some dust mites, and small fibers. The following tips help reduce one's exposure to dust mites:
Get a new pillow once a year
Encase your pillow and mattress in a allergy encasement made out of 100% cotton
Wash pillow cases and sheets in hot water once a week. Warm and cold water do not kill dust mites. But they do give them a nice bath!
Keep stuffed animals off the bed
Keep humidity low with dehumidifiers and air conditioning during the summer months. Note, humidifiers do not reduce or help dust mite allergy in anyway, but are helpful to keep the skin moist and control eczema during the winter months.