At a glance
| Chemical family | Toluamide — synthetic insect repellent (personal care transfer to bedding) |
| CAS number | 134-62-3 |
| Classification | Not IARC classified. EPA Group D (not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity). Safe at recommended concentrations per WHO, CDC, and EPA. Rare neurotoxicity only at extreme doses or misuse |
| Where you encounter it | Insect repellent applied to skin (most common use); some treated clothing and fabrics. Transfers to pillowcases and bedding during sleep |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Not in bedding products. Transfers from skin to pillows and sheets during sleep. The question for the bedroom is transfer contamination, not direct toxicity — DEET is safe at label use |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | Approved under the Biocidal Products Regulation for human hygiene biocidal products (product type 19). No restriction on concentration in consumer products. CLP Eye Irrit. 2. Regulatory |
| United States | EPA-registered insect repellent. Group D (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity). CDC recommends DEET-based repellents for mosquito-borne disease prevention. No concentration limit (products range from 5-100%). Regulatory |
| Canada | Health Canada restricts DEET to 30% maximum concentration for adults and 10% for children aged 2-12. Not for use on infants under 6 months. Regulatory |
| International | Not IARC classified. WHO endorses DEET for malaria and dengue prevention. Safe at recommended use per all major health agencies. Regulatory |
What it is
DEET is a synthetic compound developed in the 1940s-50s by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Army for military use, and registered for public use in 1957. It is the most widely used and best-studied insect repellent in the world. DEET works by confusing mosquito and tick olfactory receptors — it interferes with their ability to detect human skin chemicals. IARC has not evaluated DEET. The EPA reviewed DEET extensively and classified it as Group D (not classifiable) based on the absence of carcinogenic evidence. DEET is considered safe at recommended concentrations (up to 30% for adults, lower for children) by all major health agencies. Rare neurotoxicity reports exist but are associated with extreme overuse, misuse (ingestion), or idiosyncratic reactions.
Where it shows up in bedding
DEET is not a bedding ingredient or treatment. Its bedroom relevance is as a transfer chemical: in regions with evening and nighttime mosquito activity, people apply DEET to exposed skin before bed. During sleep, DEET transfers from skin to pillowcases, sheets, and mattress surfaces. This creates residues on bedding that accumulate with repeated nightly application. The health significance of this transfer is minimal — DEET at these residual levels is well below any toxicological concern. However, DEET can damage some synthetic fabrics and plastics (it is a solvent for some polymers), which may be relevant for mattress covers and pillowcase materials.
Citations
- EPA (2014). DEET — Reregistration Eligibility Decision. Source Regulatory
- CDC. Insect Repellent Use and Safety — DEET. Source Regulatory
- Koren, G. et al. (2003). DEET-Based Insect Repellents: Safety Implications for Children and Pregnant and Lactating Women. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 169(3): 209-212. Source Peer-reviewed
Frequently asked questions
Is DEET on my pillowcase harmful?
No. The amount of DEET that transfers from skin to a pillowcase during sleep is far below any toxicological concern. DEET is safe at the much higher concentrations applied directly to skin. The trace residues on bedding are not a health risk. If you prefer to minimize residue, washing pillowcases after nights of DEET use removes it.
Can DEET damage my mattress cover?
DEET is a solvent for some synthetic polymers — it can soften or damage certain plastics, spandex, rayon, and some synthetic fabrics. If you apply DEET before bed, be aware that repeated transfer to a synthetic mattress cover or pillowcase could degrade the material over time. Cotton and polyester are generally resistant.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-08. If you find a factual error, contact us.