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We get emails and calls very often from people who need dust mite cover washing instructions. Our dust mite covers don’t require frequent washing. It is easy to forget what to do when you don’t do it very often. Our dust mite covers are very easy to care for.
The First Wash — Do You Even Need One?
A common question we get is: "Do I need to wash the cover before I put it on the bed?"
The answer is no — it is not necessary. There are no dust mites in your new cover. We do not treat any of our fabrics with chemicals or antimicrobial coatings, so there is nothing to wash out before use.
Important: If you do decide to wash before use, make sure you have ordered the correct size first. We cannot accept an exchange or return of an item that has been washed — even if it has never been slept on. A washed cover is considered used.
If you do wash before first use, follow these steps:
Top-Loading Machine
- Open the lid and start filling with water
- Wash in warm or cold water
- When the water is half full, add your detergent
- When the detergent is dissolved, add your zippered cover with the zipper open
- Do not overcrowd the machine
Front-Loading Machine
- Make sure the zipper is open before placing in the machine
- Do not overcrowd the machine
- Wash in warm or cold water
- Follow your manufacturer's instructions for load size
Once washed, move to the dryer and tumble-dry on the low or permanent-press setting. We do not recommend line-drying zippered mattress covers.
Subsequent Washings
After the first wash, the goal changes slightly — you want to clean the fabric and remove any allergens that have accumulated on the surface of the cover.
Before washing:
- Remove the cover from the mattress, pillow, or duvet
- Open the zipper fully
- If the cover is a microweave fabric (AllergyCare™ Cotton or Organic Cotton) — turn the cover inside out before washing
- If the cover is an AllergyCare™ Stretch Knit membrane cover — do not turn inside out, but keep the zipper fully open
We recommend adding De-Mite Laundry Additive to your regular detergent. This allows you to wash in cold water and still eliminate dust mites and their allergens — no hot water needed. Washing in cold water also significantly prolongs the life of your cover.
Allergists traditionally recommend washing bedding in 140°F water to kill dust mites — but water that hot damages fabric over time. De-Mite gives you the same result at cold or warm temperatures without the wear.
If you prefer not to use De-Mite, Allersearch Allergen Wash is an excellent alternative. It replaces your regular detergent entirely and removes dust mite allergens, pet dander, mold, and pollen — all in one wash.
→ Shop all allergy laundry products
After washing, tumble dry on low or medium. Do not put the cover back on the bed until it is completely dry — trapped moisture creates exactly the warm, humid conditions dust mites need to thrive.
How Often Should You Wash Your Covers?
The simple answer: wash them when they get dirty — which is less often than you might think.
If you are washing your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets every 7 days (which you should be), your dust mite covers will only need washing a few times a year. Here is the schedule we recommend:
- Mattress and featherbed covers — wash when you rotate or deep clean the mattress, typically twice a year
- Duvet covers — wash with the change of seasons, approximately four times a year
- Pillow covers — wash every 4 to 6 weeks
With proper care, your dust mite covers will give you years of protection.
Need Covers for the Rest of the Bed?
If you are washing your mattress cover for the first time, it is a good time to consider full protection. A mattress cover alone leaves your pillows and box spring exposed — and an uncovered pillow is an allergen source inches from your face all night.
Complete protection means covering every sleeping surface:
- Mattress covers — available in cotton, organic cotton, and waterproof stretch knit
- Pillow covers — every sleeping pillow should be covered
- Box spring covers — the most overlooked allergen reservoir in the bedroom
- Duvet and comforter covers — recommended if you sleep without a top sheet
Not sure which fabric is right for you? Read our complete buying guide or call us at (800) 771-2246 — we have been helping people make this decision since 1989.
If you have more questions, don't hesitate to give us a call at (800) 771-2246.
Wishing you the best of health,
Cheryl
Want the complete picture? Everything on this page is part of our free Practical Guide to Allergy-Free Living — 35 years of allergy expertise covering dust mites, pet dander, air quality, laundry, and more. Start at the beginning or jump to the section that matters most to you.