Question: How to kill dust mites on stuffed animals

Killing dust mites on stuffed animals is not hard. The hard part is getting rid of the dead dust mite and its parts. A dead dust mite is just as bad as a live one.

Many stuffed animals and toys can be put in the wash just like any piece of clothing. The problem with washing some stuffed animals is that they loose that soft, fluffy, cuddly feel. Others completely disintegrate and the stuffing gets everywhere, we had a few do that.

Killing dust mites on stuffed animals or anything for that matter you have to be washing in 130 to 140 F water. In most homes the hot water heaters are set to 105 to 108 F. for safety reasons. Many of the newer dryers have an “allergy” setting that allows the temperature to get to 180 to 190 F. That will kill dust mites and almost anything else. The problem with that is the amount of electricity they use and the feel of stuffed toy after it has been cooked.

We recommend freezing the stuffed animal or toy for a day or 2. Freezing will kill the dust mites and not harm it. Once they have thawed out put them in the wash on the gentle cycle with warm or cold water. If you want to make sure all the dust mite allergens are neutralized put some Demite laundry additive in the load. After they have been washed put them in the dryer with a load of clothes that you are drying on the medium setting.

Another thing you can do is vacuum them. I know it sounds strange but a good vacuuming every week removes some of the dust mite allergens as well as dirt and fluffs up the fur at the same time.

killing dust mites on stuffed animals /allergy store/qa/mdk/2008

800 771-ACHOO (2246)