How Often Should I Wash Dust Mite Covers?

Dust mites live in pillows and blankets

Wash Linens Weekly

Bed linens should be washed every week in hot water. This includes sheets, blankets, pillow cases, pillows and dust mite covers. Most home dust mites live in your mattress. Use a tightly woven, dust-proof dust mite cover on your mattress and pillow.

Two Weeks Between Washings is Acceptable

It is not necessary to clean dust mite covers and sheets and other linens more often than every two weeks. The mite covers trap dust mites due to their close weave. The integrity of the fabric will be protected if they are washed less often. They do not come in direct contact with your skin, or bodily fluids, so they need washing less frequently. Washing dust mite covers does not rejuvenate them from the dust mite prevention perspective" according to Mercia Tapping from the Allergy Consumer Review. Wash all bed linens every two weeks.

Bottom Line

A weekly schedule of washing sheets, blankets, pillows and dust mite covers is the best practice. Overwashing will not harm the dust mite covers, and will wash away the build-up of dust mites that causes allergies.

References

• Allergy Consumer Review: Dust Mite Covers and Encasings
• Family Doctor: Dust Mites in the Home
• Environment Health and Safety Online: Dust Mites: Control Measures and Sanitation