# Can you kill dust mites in laundry without using hot water? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698 "2006-04-29T03:13:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AnabolicDoberman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@AnabolicDoberman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnabolicDoberman)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/1 "2006-04-29T03:13:49Z")
I know hot water will kill dust mites, but it wears out your clothes. Is there another way to kill them? Won’t they drown eventually if you leave the clothes soaking? ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/2 "2006-04-29T15:58:46Z")
Yes, there are laundry additives that you can buy that kill dustmites. I buy mine from [www.nationalallergy.com](http://www.nationalallergy.com) It is not just a question of killing the dustmites, because they still contain the allergen when they are dead. Also, their feces contain the allergen. I believe the additives work by neutralizing the allergenic protein. A lot of what causes the allergy is the presence of carcasses and parts. There area also sprays for carpeting and upholstery. When I was first diagnosed I used these a lot. After treating a room or my car, etc. the air just plain felt better when I inhaled it, it was kind of amazing. ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/3 "2006-04-29T21:33:29Z")
Which laundry additive? What carpet cleaner? There are too many choices with too many price differentials on the site! What works for you, **Hariret the Spry**? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/4 "2006-04-29T21:52:46Z")
> [@AnabolicDoberman](#): > > Won’t they drown eventually if you leave the clothes soaking? Why wouldn’t plain ol’ laundry detergent do that? One of the properties of soap is that it acts as a [surfactant](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant) , decreasing [surface tension](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_tension) . ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/5 "2006-04-29T21:56:34Z")
I use laundry detergent and on sheets/linens I use hot water and I’m still having the worst allergy symptoms I’ve ever had this year!! ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/6 "2006-04-29T22:03:59Z")
Huh. I wonder if dust mites are just too small to be affected by regular detergent? Well, someone who really knows is likely to come along. Or, someone with a Google fix to satiate! 😃 Have you tried [The Allergy Store](http://allergystore.com/allergencontrol.htm) ? ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2006, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/7 "2006-04-30T01:03:32Z")
I use the De-Mite laundry additive and the Dustmite and Flea carpet spray. The spray is kind of a pain, since you have to mix it from a powder. I have also used the Allersafe Dustroy stuff. It worked well, too, but seemed kind of expensive for spraying large areas. Once you’ve got the build-up neutralized, it helps to keep your house dry. No humidifiers! Also, using the mattress and box spring covers and allergen-proof pillowcases makes a huge difference. ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2006, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/8 "2006-04-30T01:44:42Z")
Thanks, **Harriet the Spry**. I appreciate the leads! This has been the worst season ever! ---
**Author:** ![Oz\_Trekker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Oz\_Trekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oz_Trekker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-kill-dust-mites-in-laundry-without-using-hot-water/354698/9 "2006-04-30T01:58:52Z")
Dust mites don’t mind some heat but they hate the cold, throwing your cloths in the freezer for a while will kill then dead.