Heavy upholstered or fabric covered furniture, like sofas and chairs with large pillow cushions are perfect breeding places for dust mites. It is also a good idea to keep pets off upholstered furniture to avoid exposure to pet dander. Upholstered furnishings should be vacuumed frequently. Wash pillows in hot water (>130 degrees F) or dry clean. Maintaining lower levels of relative humidity indoors (less than 50%) is another way to reduce the number of dust mites.