Low temperature washing ineffective

According to allergologist Pablo Moreno, washing bed linens at low temperatures does not effectively remove dust mites and may instead create a favorable environment for them. Moreno made this statement on October 10, 2026, on the Argentine channel TN, explaining that washing bedding at low temperatures removes almost nothing and amounts to offering a thermal spa to its microscopic inhabitants.

Dust mites thrive in warm humidity

These parasites feed on dead human skin cells and proliferate in the warm humidity of mattresses. To eliminate them, it is necessary to use water at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius, as dust mites only die at this temperature.

Lukewarm washes are insufficient

A lukewarm wash, according to Moreno, only rinses the sheets without removing much, and it even maintains the humidity that dust mites love. Many households wash bedding at low temperatures to protect fabrics and reduce energy consumption, as a cold cycle can save up to 60% of energy. This practice may result in bedding becoming a cozy refuge for these microscopic creatures.

Dust mites and allergic reactions

Dust mites, which measure less than half a millimeter, feed on flakes of dead skin lost during sleep. Each night, a single person sheds enough skin particles to feed entire colonies of mites found in mattresses and pillows. Allergic reactions are primarily caused by the mites' excretions, whose allergens can persist even after several washes with regular detergent.

Study on washing effectiveness

A South Korean study published in 2008 in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology compared the effectiveness of different washing temperatures in eliminating dust mites. However, the specific findings of the study were not detailed in the provided sources.