Dryers

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Dryer Tips For Allergy Sufferers

Electric or gas dryers, unlike washers, are available in one basic style: front-loading with a hinged door that allows access to the dryer drum. Their capacities range from 3.5 to 7.2 cubic feet… the larger the capacity, the faster your clothes will dry. The latest models are equipped with a variety of special features: multiple temperature settings for different fabrics, electronic or dial control cycles, auto-sense drying systems that automatically adjust drying time to reduce wrinkles, and noise-reduction technology. Here are some suggestions for allergy sufferers:

1. For heavy comforters, blankets, bed shawls, other bedding and small throw rugs that cannot be washed, tumble them in the dryer for at least 20 minutes at the highest temperature.

2. Don’t forget about pillows. Select hypoallergenic pillows stuffed with synthetic materials instead of down (feathers from a goose or duck) or other feathers. Protect them with allergy-proof pillow covers. Allergies to feathers/down are common… not caused by the feathers/down themselves but rather by dust mites that have attached themselves onto them. If your pillows are washable, launder them periodically, adding DeMite along with your regular detergent, then tumble in a warm dryer. Fluff and turn the pillows periodically during the drying cycle. If your pillow is not washable, fluff it in the dryer on the highest setting for about 20 minutes. Adding a clean tennis ball or sneaker to the dryer will help the fluffing process.

3. After laundering your bedding, towels and other washables, always dry them in the dryer. Do not ever hang laundry outside, even when the weather is balmy. Pollen counts and other outdoor allergens are highest during the day and will end up blowing onto the fabric. They become allergy triggers when brought back inside.

4. To help make your laundry more wrinkle-free, shake wet items gently before putting them into the dryer cycle. If your dryer does not have automatic drying time, check the progress of the items and remove as soon as they are completely dry. Shake dried items again to remove any superficial wrinkles and fold.

5. If your children have allergies or asthma, washable stuffed toys and animals are by far the best. Launder them, adding DeMite along with your regular detergent, and tumble dry. The Mayo Clinic suggests putting toys that can’t be washed or heat treated in a hot dryer into the freezer overnight to kill dust mites.


Many of our suppliers carry the products mentioned in this article as well as DeMite Products.

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