Cited source

The role of water temperature and laundry procedures in reducing house dust mite populations and allergen content of bedding

McDonald LG, Tovey E (1992)

J Allergy Clin Immunol · PMID 1401643

Abstract

The effects of various laundry procedures on house dust mites and their allergens have been established. All mites were killed by water temperatures 55 degrees C or greater. Killing at lower temperatures was not enhanced by any of the pure detergents or laundry products tested. A cold cycle of laundry washing with or without laundry powder did not remove most live mites from bedding, however, the allergen concentration (Der p I/gm fine dust) was reduced by more than 90%. Dry cleaning did not reduce the allergen concentration of the dust, although most, if not all, mites were killed.