title: The role of water temperature and laundry procedures in reducing house dust mite populations and allergen content of bedding.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tovey
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007846:Laundering; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D012997:Solvents; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D003902:Detergents; D004391:Dust; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water