With allergy season approaching, you might be thinking about proactive ways to keep your allergies under control. While your washing machine may not be the first place you think about when eliminating potential allergens in your home, you definitely should clean this essential appliance when preparing for the season ahead.

We spoke with allergists to learn more about why you should clean your washing machine ahead of allergy season, best practices for doing so and what may happen if you don’t clean this appliance (or do so incorrectly) at the start of allergy season. We'll also describe the types of reactions that can happen when using a dirty washing machine. 

Why You Should Clean Your Washing Machine Ahead of Allergy Season

While nobody wants to open their washing machine to the sight of mold and grime at any time, you should be particularly wary of doing so as you approach allergy season, especially if you are affected by allergies or live with people who experience allergies. 

“Grime and mold in washing machines trap allergens such as pollen, pet dander and dust mite waste by creating a sticky, nutrient-rich and damp environment that prevents these particles from being rinsed away during the wash cycle,” explains Dr. Wyatt Verplaetse, MD and allergist with OSF HealthCare. “Mold growth, particularly in rubber gaskets and hoses, acts as a filter that captures contaminants and re-releases them into the clothes.” 

Even though not every piece of your clothing might be affected by allergens released back into it, the potential exists. The reactions this can cause range from mild irritation to more serious health issues, depending on the allergen, the amount of the allergen and one’s sensitivity level to an allergen or various allergens. 

While people who experience common allergies can be negatively affected by contaminated clothing, bedding and other items placed in a dirty washing machine, Dr. Amanda Salih, MD, MPH, allergist-immunologist at Rush University Medical Center, notes that individuals who experience asthma and eczema may experience flare-ups and/or attacks due to allergen exposure. 

“People who suffer from allergies experience symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose, eye itching or watering, asthma symptoms such as cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, or flaring of dry itchy patches of skin in eczema,” says Dr. Salih. 

How to Clean Your Washing Machine to Avoid Trapping Allergens

How well you clean your washing machine can make a big difference when keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from potentially harmful allergens. "Cleaning the machine helps ensure laundry actually removes allergens instead of redistributing them onto fabrics,” says Dr. Salih. In any case, you should clean your washing machine properly to avoid buildup. 

While Dr. Salih notes that many washing machines have cleaning cycles that can be effective as a first line of defense, you may also benefit from manually cleaning them. “It is also important to wipe down the rubber gasket, manually cleaning the detergent drawer and cleaning any nooks and crannies in the machine, including the rubber seal around the door,” says Dr. Salih.

As far as laundry detergents go, our experts recommend staying away from harsh ones. “It’s also best to avoid heavily fragranced cleaners that may irritate sensitive skin,” explains Dr. Salih. This is especially important for patients with eczema. “Patients with asthma can also be triggered by strong scents and fragrant products, so it may be best to avoid these for this reason as well.” 

If you have to do manual cleaning and experience allergies, “make sure you clean with a mask and gloves to avoid exposure and consider taking a long-acting antihistamine,” says ​​Dr. Purvi Parikh, MD, FACAAI, FACP, allergist and immunologist at Allergy and Asthma Associates of Murray Hill. Our experts recommend using hot water laundry cycles and ensuring proper drying time for the best results. 

While cleaning your washing machine is important to protect against the spread and exposure of allergens, you want to ensure that your efforts are worthwhile, which can potentially be less effective if you fail to properly clean your dryer, too.

“Keeping the dryer vent clean helps prevent the buildup of mildew and mold, but also reduces the risk of dryer fires,” says Dr. Verplaetse. He also notes that you should avoid line drying clothes (if you’re able to) as you run the risk of recontaminating your clothing with allergens such as pollen.