Does a Dryer Kill Dust Mites? How Long, How Hot, and What to Do Next

Yes, a clothes dryer can kill dust mites, as long as it gets hot enough and runs long enough. Mayo Clinic advises at least 15 minutes in the dryer at a temperature above 130°F (54.4°C) for bedding that cannot be washed in hot water.

Killing the mites is only half the job, though. The proteins that trigger dust mite allergy stay in the fabric until you wash them out. This guide shows you how to use the dryer and the washing machine together, item by item, so your bed stops making you sneeze. For more on the bedroom, see our dust mites and bedding guides.

Jump to: Quick answer · What to do with each item · How long to run the dryer · Weekly laundry routine · Still sneezing? · FAQ

Quick answer

• Does the dryer kill dust mites? Yes, if it runs hot. Mayo Clinic recommends at least 15 minutes above 130°F (54.4°C).
• Does it kill all of them? Not always. In one study, an hour of hot tumble drying killed about 89% of the mites in stuffed toys, not 100%. Thick items need a full, hot cycle.
• Does it remove the allergen? No. Heat kills mites, but their body parts and waste stay behind. You still need to wash the item.
• Best routine: wash bedding every week in water of at least 130°F (54.4°C), then dry it on the hottest setting the care label allows.

What to do with each item

Does dryer heat kill dust mites? What the research shows

Dust mites cannot survive high heat. In a laboratory study of laundry methods, all mites were killed by water at 55°C (131°F) or hotter (McDonald and Tovey, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1992).

A dryer works on the same principle, using hot air instead of hot water. That is why Mayo Clinic suggests the dryer as the backup for bedding you cannot wash hot: at least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130°F (54.4°C).

Heat has to reach the mites deep inside the fabric, and that takes time in thick items. In a study of stuffed toys, hot tumble drying for one hour reduced live mites by about 89% on average, while freezing overnight reduced them by about 95% (Chang and colleagues, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 2011). So the dryer kills most mites, but a single cycle may not kill every one in a thick item.

How long to run the dryer to kill dust mites

1. Read the care label first. Use the hottest setting the fabric allows.
2. Run it for at least 15 minutes above 130°F (54.4°C). That is the minimum Mayo Clinic gives. For thick items such as duvets, comforters and stuffed toys, run a full high-heat cycle so the heat reaches the middle.
3. Leave room in the drum. Hot air has to move around the items to heat them evenly.
4. Then wash the items. Mayo Clinic’s advice is to dry hot to kill the mites, then wash and dry to remove the allergens.

Dryers differ, and the label setting does not tell you the real temperature inside the drum. If you are not sure your dryer gets hot enough, a hot wash is the more reliable way to kill mites.

Why the dryer is not enough on its own

What makes you sneeze is not only the live mites. AAFA explains that both the body parts and the waste of dust mites are allergens. Killing the mites in the dryer leaves those allergens in the fabric.

Washing is what removes them. In the same 1992 study, a cold wash did not kill most mites, but it reduced the allergen in the bedding by more than 90%. Dry cleaning did the opposite: it killed most or all mites but did not reduce the allergen.

That is why the best results come from combining the two: heat to kill the mites, and washing to remove what they leave behind.

A weekly laundry routine for dust mite allergy

1. Strip the bed once a week. Sheets, pillowcases, blankets and bedcovers all go in.
2. Wash in hot water. Mayo Clinic, AAFA and National Jewish Health all recommend water of at least 130°F (54.4°C).
3. Dry on the hottest setting the labels allow. Dry completely, especially stuffed toys and thick items.
4. Handle what cannot go in hot. Use the dryer step or freeze it for 24 hours, then wash it.
5. Keep mattress and pillows covered. Zippered, allergen-proof covers keep mites inside and away from you. Our guide to mattress and pillow covers explains what to look for.

A note on water temperature: the major sources do not all agree. Mayo Clinic, AAFA and National Jewish Health say at least 130°F, while the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says hot water of no more than 120°F (48.9°C). If your water heater is set lower than 130°F, add the hot dryer step so heat still does its job.

Pillows, duvets and stuffed toys

Does putting pillows in the dryer kill dust mites?

It can, if the pillow can safely take high heat for long enough. Some cannot, so check the label before you try. For most people, the more effective step is a zippered allergen-proof pillow cover, plus a pillowcase washed every week. If your pillow is old, our guide on how often to change your pillow can help you decide whether to replace it.

Duvets and comforters

These are the hardest to treat because heat takes longer to reach the middle. Wash hot if the label allows. If it does not, use a full high-heat dryer cycle and then wash the item to remove allergen. Do not pack the drum too tightly.

Stuffed toys

Mayo Clinic suggests choosing washable stuffed toys, washing them often in hot water, drying them completely, and keeping them off the bed. In the 2011 study, freezing overnight (about 95%) beat one hour of hot tumble drying (about 89%) at killing mites in toys. Neither step removes the allergen, so wash the toy afterwards if you can.

Still sneezing after washing your bedding?

If your symptoms do not improve

• Cover the mattress, box spring and pillows. Mites live inside them, not only in the sheets.
• Bring the humidity down. Dust mites need moisture. Mayo Clinic advises keeping indoor humidity below 50%. A hygrometer measures it and a dehumidifier or air conditioner lowers it. See our mold and humidity guides.
• Look beyond the bed. Carpets, padded furniture and clutter collect dust. Mayo Clinic notes that vacuuming does not remove most mites and allergens, so use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or double-layered bag.
• Talk to a doctor or allergist. Allergy tests can confirm whether dust mites are the cause, and treatments range from medicines to allergy shots or tablets.

If your water heater does not reach 130°F

Wash at the warmest setting you have to remove allergen, then tumble dry on high heat for at least 15 minutes above 130°F. If the item cannot take high heat either, freeze it for 24 hours and then wash it.

If your dryer has no high-heat setting

Rely on hot water to kill the mites, and freezing for items that cannot be washed hot. A low-heat cycle may not get hot enough to kill mites.

For more ways to sleep better with allergies, read how to sleep with allergies.

Safety notes

• Water at 130°F can scald skin. Take care when handling hot loads and keep children away from hot taps and hot laundry.
• Always follow the care label. High heat can shrink or damage some fabrics and fillings.
• This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have asthma or severe allergy symptoms, follow the plan from your doctor. Read our medical disclaimer.

Related guides

• Mattress and pillow covers: your first line of defense against allergens
• How often should you change your pillow?
• How common is dust mite allergy?
• Allergy-friendly cleaning guides

Frequently asked questions

Does the dryer kill dust mites without washing?

A hot dryer cycle can kill most of the mites, but it does not remove their allergens. Mayo Clinic advises drying hot to kill the mites, then washing and drying the item to remove the allergens.

How long do you put things in the dryer to kill dust mites?

At least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130°F (54.4°C), according to Mayo Clinic. Give thick items like duvets and stuffed toys a full high-heat cycle so the heat reaches the middle.

Does a cold wash kill dust mites?

No. In a 1992 study, a cold wash left most mites alive. It still removed more than 90% of the allergen, so a cold wash helps, but it should be paired with a hot dryer cycle to kill the mites.

What water temperature kills dust mites?

Research found that water at 55°C (131°F) or hotter killed all mites. Mayo Clinic, AAFA and National Jewish Health recommend washing bedding in water of at least 130°F (54.4°C).

Does dry cleaning kill dust mites?

Dry cleaning killed most or all mites in the 1992 study, but it did not reduce the allergen. Washing is still needed to remove it.

Does freezing kill dust mites?

Yes. Mayo Clinic says freezing items for 24 hours can kill dust mites, though it does not remove the allergens. In a study of stuffed toys, freezing overnight killed about 95% of the mites.

How often should you wash bedding if you have a dust mite allergy?

Once a week. Mayo Clinic, AAFA and National Jewish Health all recommend weekly washing of sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. Dust mite allergy: Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic, September 12, 2025.
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Dust mite allergy.
• American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Dust allergies.
• National Jewish Health. Dust mite allergy: reduce exposure.
• McDonald LG, Tovey E. The role of water temperature and laundry procedures in reducing house dust mite populations and allergen content of bedding. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1992;90(4 Pt 1):599-608.
• Chang CF, Wu FF, Chen CY, Crane J, Siebers R. Effect of freezing, hot tumble drying and washing with eucalyptus oil on house dust mites in soft toys. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011;22(6):638-641.

Last reviewed: October 21, 2026.