Tips for Reducing Allergens in Your Laundry

If you or someone in your home struggles with allergies, you know how frustrating it can be when symptoms seem to stick around no matter what. What many people don’t realize is that laundry can be a sneaky source of allergens like dust mites, pollen, and even mold.

Over the years, I’ve picked up some simple yet powerful habits that have made a big difference in how I manage allergens at home—especially with my sensitive skin, asthma, and eczema. These practical tips can help you create a cleaner, more comfortable environment for you and your family—starting right in the laundry room.

Here are my tips for reducing allergens in your laundry:

Use hot water.

Wash as much of your laundry in hot water as you can. Hot water kills dust mites, one of the main causes of allergies for most people.

Dry your clothing in the dryer.

Dry your clothing in the dryer, not outside on the clothesline. Being hung outside exposes them to any pollen or other allergens flying around in the air!

Wash clothes that have been packed away.

Before wearing clothes that have been packed away (perhaps your off season items?), be sure to wash them to remove any dust mites that have gathered during storage.

Don’t let laundry linger in the washing machine.

Leaving your damp clothes in the washer provides an opportunity for mold to form. If you have left your washing for too long, be sure to rewash it before drying.

Clean your washer and dryer.

Wash out your washer and dryer on a regular basis to get rid of any allergens that may have collected in there and could then be transferred to your clothes and linens.

Pack your clothing in a bag when exposed to a high pollen count.

If you’ve been outside on a day with an especially high pollen count or perhaps doing yardwork or anything else that would expose you and your clothing to more allergens than usual, it’s a good idea to undress in your garage if possible. Pack the clothes into a plastic bag and take them straight to the laundry room to avoid spreading the allergens through the house.

Use laundry products designed for sensitive skin.

I have sensitive skin that gets itchy from so many products. I develop eczema. Using laundry products especially designed for those with sensitive skin work so much better for me than any others.

Use the laundromat.

Dry cleaning can also kill dust mites and reduce or eliminate pollen so this is another option for your laundry.

Keeping allergens out of your laundry doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few intentional steps, you can reduce the triggers that make allergy season (or allergy every day) so difficult. I hope these tips help you breathe a little easier—literally!

Do you have any favorite strategies for allergy-friendly laundry? I’d love to hear from you in the comments. And if you found this helpful, please share it or save it to your Clean Home Tips board on Pinterest!