Mites are tiny arthropods that are related to ticks and spiders. There are many different types of mites that can be found in homes, including dust mites, mold mites, and fabric mites. Mites feed on organic matter like dead skin cells and can sometimes infest fabrics, carpets, furniture, and mattresses. A common question many people have is whether mites can survive a trip through the washing machine.
Can mites survive washing machines?
The short answer is yes, mites can survive washing machines, but there are steps you can take to help kill them. Mites are very small, so they can hide in crevices and folds of fabrics and withstand the agitation and water pressure from washing machines. However, the combination of hot water, detergent, and drying can help kill many mites.
Here are some key factors that determine mite survival in the washing machine:
– Temperature – Hot water is best for killing mites. Wash cycles with water at 130°F or above can kill most mites and their eggs. Cool or cold water cycles will not be as effective.
– Detergent – Using a detergent with strong cleaning agents can help remove and kill mites. Detergents help break down organic matter that mites feed on.
– Drying – Tumbling and heat from drying cycles will kill any remaining mites that survived the wash. Air drying may not be as effective.
– Fabric – Items with crags and crevices like rugs and plush toys can protect mites. Washing smooth fabrics helps wash away mites more easily.
So in summary, while some hardy mites may survive a trip through the washing machine, using hot water, detergent, and drying can help eliminate most of an infestation. Proper washing and drying is an effective way to remove and kill fabric mites.
What types of mites can live in your laundry?
There are a few common mite species that can infest fabrics and survive washing machines:
– Dust mites – The most common mite found in homes. Live in fabrics, carpets, and stuffed animals.
– Fabric mites – Eat natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk. Common in clothing, towels, and bedding.
– Grain mites – Attracted to starches in grains and flour. Can infest stored fabrics.
– Rodent mites – Some mites like bird mites and rodent mites will bite humans and live in laundry.
– Closet mites – Found in stored clothes and linens, feeding on fabric debris.
Dust mites and fabric mites are the most common mites found in laundry and are very small (under 1mm) making it easy for them to survive wash cycles. Larger mites like rodent and closet mites are less likely to survive laundering.
Signs of a mite infestation in your laundry
Here are some signs that mites may be present in your clothing, linens, or laundry area:
– Skin irritation – Mites can bite exposed skin leaving red, itchy welts.
– Staining or discoloration – Mite excrement can leave dark stains on fabrics.
– Musty odors – A buildup of mites can create a musty, dusty smell.
– Visible mites – You may see tiny white or brown bugs crawling on clothes, particularly in folds, seams, and crevices.
– Mite fecal pellets – With a magnifying glass, you can sometimes see tiny black specks which are mite droppings.
If you are seeing any signs of potential mites in laundry, it’s important to take action to kill them and prevent reinfestation. Inspect bedsheets, clothing near rodent or bird nests, and washed rugs carefully. Any items with evidence of mites should be thoroughly washed and dried.
How to wash laundry to kill mites
Here are some tips for effective laundry cleaning to kill mites:
– Use hot water – Use the hottest water recommended for the fabric and ensure mites are exposed to 130°F+ water.
– Dry on high heat – Ensure fabrics reach high temperatures by drying on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
– Use detergent – Choose a laundry detergent like Tide that can help remove and kill mites.
– Clean the machine – Run an empty hot wash cycle with bleach or other mite killers to disinfect the washing machine.
– Extra rinse cycle – Add an extra rinse cycle to further eliminate detergent residue and waste that mites feed on.
– Dry clean – For delicate fabrics, dry cleaning with chemical solvents can kill mites.
– Steam clean – A steam cleaner using 210°F+ steam can kill mites in upholstery and bedding.
– Sunlight – Hang drying fabrics in direct sunlight can kill some mites through UV radiation and heat.
Consistently washing and drying fabrics at high temperatures can help destroy large mite populations over time. But cleaning the machines and using mite killing detergents helps remove any hardy mites that survive normal wash cycles.
Laundry detergents that kill mites
There are a number of commercial laundry detergents that contain ingredients aimed at killing mites, eggs, and larvae. Here are some top options:
| Detergent | Mite Killing Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Tide Antibacterial | Phenylphenol, ethanol |
| Stera-Kleen | Benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate |
| Lysol Laundry Sanitizer | Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate |
| Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean | Sodium percarbonate (releases peroxide) |
| Seventh Generation Disinfectant | Thymol |
These detergents use chemicals and compounds that can dissolve exoskeletons, disrupt mite metabolism, and damage vital organs. Look for words like “antibacterial”, “disinfectant” and “sanitizer” on laundry products targeting mite elimination. Using these special mite-killing detergents along with hot water and drying can provide thorough treatment to eradicate mites in laundry.
Other ways to kill mites in laundry
In addition to washing, drying, and using mite-killing detergents, here are a few other ways to kill mites in laundry and clothing:
– Freezing – Kills mites by dehydrating cells. Seal items in air-tight bags and freeze below 0°F for at least 4 days.
– Dry cleaning – Most professional dry cleaners use Perchloroethylene solutions that dissolve mite exoskeletons.
– Steam cleaning – High temperature steam above 200°F instantly kills mites. Useful for upholstery.
– UV light – Prolonged exposure from UV lamps or sunlight can damage mite DNA.
– Diatomaceous earth – Powdered fossilized algae shreds mite bodies. Sprinkle on surfaces or fabrics.
– Vinegar – White vinegar dissolves exoskeletons and interferes with mite enzymes. Mix solutions for laundry or surfaces.
– Essential oils – Oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint can repel and kill mites with toxicity or scent.
– Boric acid – Abrades mite outer layers. Apply lightly mixed with water and allow to fully dry.
Combining physical and chemical control methods helps ensure mites are eliminated from laundry and living spaces. Monitor for any recurring signs of mites after treatment.
How to prevent mite infestations in laundry
Prevention is key to keeping mites out of your laundry long-term. Here are some tips:
– Quarantine new or used clothing in bags until thoroughly washed. Mites can transfer fromsecond-hand clothes.
– Check window seals, furniture, carpets, and beds for mite harborage sites. Reduce clutterand vacuum regularly.
– Wash and dry bedding weekly on highest heat settings. Mites thrive in sheets and blankets near humans.
– Inspect and wash children’s stuffed animals frequently. Plush toys harbor mites.
– Use mattress and furniture covers. Waterproof encasements restrict mites.
– Clean out washing machine drums, gaskets, dispensers with hot bleach water monthly.
– Hang clothing outside in sunlight when possible. UV light kills mites.
– Store clean laundry in sealed containers, not piles.
– Dry clean wool, silk, or delicate fabrics prone to mites every 6 months.
– Vacuum seal or freeze off-season clothing like sweaters in storage tubs or bags.
With diligence, inspection, and hygiene, mite populations cannot get established and become difficult to remove. Stopping infestations in laundry early is the fastest and easiest solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature kills mites in laundry?
130°F water temperature during washing, and high heat drying for at least 30 minutes (over 140°F) can kill mites in laundry. Mites can survive lower temperatures – always use hot water cycles and dry on the highest setting safe for the fabric.
Can you put clothes in the dryer to kill mites?
Yes, drying clothes on the highest heat setting like “high” or “very hot” can kill mites and eggs that may survive washing. Ensure fabrics reach temperatures over 140°F and are dried for at least half an hour to eliminate mites.
Do washing machines kill all mites?
Washing machines alone do not kill all mites. The combination of hot 130°F+ water, drying at 140°F+, and using a mite-killing detergent provides the best chance of killing mites. But some resilient mites may still survive a full wash and dry cycle occasionally.
Does vinegar kill dust mites in laundry?
Yes, white vinegar can kill dust mites. The acidic vinegar dissolves the outer coverings of mites. Add 1-2 cups of white vinegar to laundry wash cycles or soaking solutions to kill mites through contact. Vinegar also acts as a fabric softener.
How do you disinfect laundry from mites?
Bleach, vinegar, essential oils, and commercial mite-killing detergents can disinfect laundry. Mix detergent with hot 130°F+ water for washing. Alternatively, soak garments for 30+ minutes in vinegar, essential oils, or soda crystals solutions. Then rinse and dry thoroughly on highest setting.
The Bottom Line
Mites are very small pests that can be difficult to completely eliminate from laundry and linens. But following these research-backed tips can help kill and prevent mite infestations:
– Wash with mite-killing detergents and water temperatures above 130°F.
– Dry fabrics on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes.
– Clean washing machines monthly with hot water and bleach.
– Inspect and quarantine suspicious fabrics before washing.
– Use mattress covers, vacuum regularly, and store cleaned fabrics properly.
With diligence and proper laundry hygiene practices, the risk of mites surviving in your clothing and linens can be substantially reduced. But tiny mites may still occasionally endure wash and dry cycles. Integrated pest control and prevention helps ensure mites don’t return and proliferate after laundry is cleaned.