Effects of laundry detergents on Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Euroglyphus maynei.

Background: House-dust mites in clothing and bedding are the source of major allergens. Based on studies of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus only, weekly washing in hot water is recommended to kill dust mites and remove allergens from clothing and bedding. However, in the United States, washing is most often done in warm or cold water, and other mite species are involved.