Washing bedding at 60 degrees.

MEGANJODELLE

Hi all, hoping someone can give me some advice on this one.

I have a dust mite alergy and have always read that I should wash my sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers at 60 degrees, which I have done for years.

However, I have just bought some nice new 100% cotton bedding to replace my old poly-cotton stuff. The new bedding is good quality as it is Dorma and John Lewis. However, the label says to wash at 40 degrees and I would be mortified to damage the bedding in anyway. Am I right to be concerned in this way?

If so, what can I do as an alternative. I thought about putting the bedding in the freezer for 24 hours every so often as this will kill the mites. However, I don't know whether that would damage cotton bedding!

Also, I would like to wash my stuff at 30 or 40 degrees to save money and the environment.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers

Megan

seraphina

I wash all my towels and bedding at 60 degrees C and never had any problems, whether it's 100% cotton or not. If you are concerned you might want to just put a pillowcase or something small through the wash once at 60 and see how you get on.

TBH I'm not a big fan of washing stuff below 40 degrees - in my experience 30 degrees doesn't give me a clean wash. It's not very eco friendly if I have to wash things twice or use twice as much powder!

[Deleted User]

try 40 degrees with ecover liquid and lakeland limited wash balls (the set of 9 coloured ones) the balls pound the wash and it comes out very clean and not too creased. My dh is allergic to house dust mite and we have no problem at all re the sheets. As you know it is also down to vacuuming everywhere and mite covers on the mattress and pillows. I don`t think there is a mite left on our egyptian cotton 800 count bedding (only saying that because it is good quality and I`m not afraid to pound them)

KittyKate

I have a pollen allergy and I wash all bedding on a 40 degree wash without any problems - for a dust mite allergy, I'd get some anti dust mite spray and spray (or even tea tree oil, I'm sure I've read they don't like that) and spray it on when the clothes are out to dry. Regularly hoover & spray the mattress and use polyester pillows washes with laundry balls (I use feather, they hold pollen from my hair and make me very uncomfortable but I haaate polyester pillows - so bouncy!!)

TheWaltons_3

I just wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I hadn't washed my sheets on a 60!

Most of our bedding is white Egyptian Cotton and some Christies stuff and it all goes on 60 - unless DD's nappy has leaked whilst she's been in bed with us, then I will use 90.

Ghost

Hi Megan,

Many years ago, when I was first diagnosed with dustmite allergy, a pharmacist in Boots Chemist recommended that I put an additive in the last rinse of bedding that would kill the dust mites/eggs.

It was a blue biocide, resembling the colour of mouthwash, called Rocol and it could only be purchased from Boots at that time. Over the years I got out of the habit of using it and so I am not sure if the product is still available on the market.

I was also advised to, whenever possible, hang the sheets to dry on an outside line, in direct sun, as the sun/air also kills the dustmites/eggs.

Other things I have found helpful in managing this allergy include:

• Laminate flooring
• Regular vacuuming of bedroom, mattress, pillows and duvet etc
• Damp dusting bedroom surfaces after vacuuming
• Pulling the duvet/sheets back every morning for an hour to fully air the bed
• Always having a window open in my bedroom
• A cool bedroom (helps keep the dustmite population down)
• Washing bedding at 60 degrees
• Also washing duvet and pillows regularly at 60 degrees

Incidentally, I know this is not much help for you as you've just bought new bedding, but all Ikea bedding - i.e. duvets, pillows, mattress proctectors, pillow protectors, sheets etc - are designed to be washed at 60 degrees.

Also, I have bought a large capacity washing machine that can take king size duvets, so that I can wash these items more regularly and I have found that it definitely helps.

Hope this is useful.

pusscat

When I am having a bad time with dust mites I pop my duvet cover and pillowcases in the freezer overnight before I put it on the bed - that kills the little blighters off and does not matter what temperature you washed them on!

try it - you will be surprised!

Puss
xx

moanymoany

Contact John Lewis's, they might be able to help. Google 'dust mites' that will bring up some ideas.

Tim_Deegan

Next time you replace your mattress go for one made from hypoallergenic materials. Be careful though, because there are loads of dodgy sales reps in many high street bed stores who will try to talk you into buying their most expensive mattress.

MEGANJODELLE

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. Very interesting to read your ideas and suggestions, some I've heard of, some I haven't. I've definately got some new ideas to try now!

Thanks again

Megan
xx