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Allergy fear on 'green' laundry | Allergy fear on 'green' laundry |
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Low-temperature cycles in washing machines don't get rid of some of the most common causes of allergy attacks, say scientists. | Low-temperature cycles in washing machines don't get rid of some of the most common causes of allergy attacks, say scientists. |
"Green" energy-efficient 30 or 40 degree celsius washes only killed 6% of house dust mites compared with 100% at 60 degrees, Korean researchers found. | |
Allergy UK agreed with these latest findings presented at an American Thoracic Society conference. | Allergy UK agreed with these latest findings presented at an American Thoracic Society conference. |
It advises allergy sufferers use 60 degree washes. | It advises allergy sufferers use 60 degree washes. |
How low can you go? | How low can you go? |
Washing clothes at 40 degrees compared with 60 degrees uses a third less energy, and many environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, recommend even lower temperature washes. | Washing clothes at 40 degrees compared with 60 degrees uses a third less energy, and many environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, recommend even lower temperature washes. |
Switching from 40 to 30 degree washes saves a further 40% in energy costs, they say. | Switching from 40 to 30 degree washes saves a further 40% in energy costs, they say. |
Modern detergent manufacturers say that their products are capable of cleaning effectively at these low temperatures. | Modern detergent manufacturers say that their products are capable of cleaning effectively at these low temperatures. |
Sheets and clothes should definitely be washed at 60 degrees or more, and regularly, to get rid of house dust mite, and other allergens Lindsey McManus, Allergy UK | Sheets and clothes should definitely be washed at 60 degrees or more, and regularly, to get rid of house dust mite, and other allergens Lindsey McManus, Allergy UK |
However, the research suggests that this may not be the case. | However, the research suggests that this may not be the case. |
At both 30 and 40 degree washes, using detergent and 'enzymes' designed to improve washing at low temperatures, between 6.2% and 6.5% of house dust mites were destroyed. | At both 30 and 40 degree washes, using detergent and 'enzymes' designed to improve washing at low temperatures, between 6.2% and 6.5% of house dust mites were destroyed. |
In addition, the low temperature washes fared badly against other allergens. | In addition, the low temperature washes fared badly against other allergens. |
Cotton sheets contaminated with dog dander - saliva and skin cells that are a common allergen in dog-owning homes - were also washed at 30, 40 and 60 degrees. | Cotton sheets contaminated with dog dander - saliva and skin cells that are a common allergen in dog-owning homes - were also washed at 30, 40 and 60 degrees. |
At the two lower temperatures, more than 40% of the dander remained when the sheet was re-tested. At 60 degrees, 12% remained. | At the two lower temperatures, more than 40% of the dander remained when the sheet was re-tested. At 60 degrees, 12% remained. |
Likewise, almost 32% of pollen on sheets remained after 30 degree washing, although both 40 and 60 degrees worked far better in this instance. | Likewise, almost 32% of pollen on sheets remained after 30 degree washing, although both 40 and 60 degrees worked far better in this instance. |
Rinse aid | Rinse aid |
However, the research team did offer a solution to the problem for consumers determined to run the most energy efficient washes. | However, the research team did offer a solution to the problem for consumers determined to run the most energy efficient washes. |
They found that rinsing fabrics three or four times in cold water after washing at 30 degrees produced results comparable with a much hotter wash. | |
All effective detergents are successful in removing protein allergens in a 30 or 40 degree wash cycle John Bailey, Proctor and Gamble | All effective detergents are successful in removing protein allergens in a 30 or 40 degree wash cycle John Bailey, Proctor and Gamble |
Lindsey McManus, from Allergy UK, said the research backed their advice on cleaning regimes for people with allergies. | Lindsey McManus, from Allergy UK, said the research backed their advice on cleaning regimes for people with allergies. |
"Sheets and clothes should definitely be washed at 60 degrees or more, and regularly, to get rid of house dust mite, and other allergens," she said. | "Sheets and clothes should definitely be washed at 60 degrees or more, and regularly, to get rid of house dust mite, and other allergens," she said. |
John Bailey, from leading detergent manufacturer Proctor and Gamble, said that it wasn't the mites themselves that were causing the allergic reaction, but their droppings. | John Bailey, from leading detergent manufacturer Proctor and Gamble, said that it wasn't the mites themselves that were causing the allergic reaction, but their droppings. |
"House dust mite themselves pose no problems - it's the protein contained in their faecal dropping that's the allergen. | "House dust mite themselves pose no problems - it's the protein contained in their faecal dropping that's the allergen. |
"Under European wash conditions, like other protein allergens, this is easily removed. All effective detergents are successful in removing protein allergens in a 30 or 40 degree wash cycle." | "Under European wash conditions, like other protein allergens, this is easily removed. All effective detergents are successful in removing protein allergens in a 30 or 40 degree wash cycle." |
He said that getting rid of the mites themselves did require a different approach - including washing bed linen at high temperatures, getting rid of carpets and fabric covered furniture, or even putting bed sheets in the freezer overnight. | He said that getting rid of the mites themselves did require a different approach - including washing bed linen at high temperatures, getting rid of carpets and fabric covered furniture, or even putting bed sheets in the freezer overnight. |
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