How can bedding be cleaned of lice? - briefly
Clean all sheets, blankets, and pillowcases by laundering them in water at least 130 °F (54 °C) for 30 minutes and then tumble‑drying on the highest heat setting for 20 minutes. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in an airtight bag for two weeks or treated with a lice‑specific insecticide labeled safe for fabrics.
How can bedding be cleaned of lice? - in detail
Lice and their eggs survive on fabric until exposed to temperatures above 130 °F (54 °C) for at least five minutes or to insecticidal agents that penetrate the fibers. The most reliable method is a hot‑water wash followed by a high‑heat dryer cycle.
- Remove all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and mattress covers.
- Place items in the washing machine. Set water temperature to the hottest setting the fabric can tolerate (typically 140 °F/60 °C). Use a standard laundry detergent; adding a small amount of borax or a lice‑specific spray enhances effectiveness.
- Run a full wash cycle; a longer soak (10–15 minutes) improves penetration.
- Transfer items directly to a dryer. Select the highest heat setting and run for at least 30 minutes. The combination of heat and tumbling eliminates both insects and nits.
If a machine cannot reach the required temperature, alternate procedures are acceptable:
- Soak bedding in water heated to at least 130 °F for 10 minutes, then place in a sealed plastic bag and leave in a freezer set to –4 °F (–20 °C) for 24 hours.
- Apply a commercial lice spray labeled for fabrics, following the manufacturer’s contact time, then launder as described above.
The mattress itself cannot be laundered, but it can be treated effectively:
- Vacuum the surface thoroughly, using a brush attachment to dislodge eggs.
- Apply a steam cleaner that reaches 212 °F (100 °C) for at least five minutes across the entire mattress.
- Cover the mattress with an encasement designed to trap and kill lice, leaving it on for a minimum of two weeks.
Pillows and cushions require similar care. Wash removable covers on the hottest safe setting, then dry on high heat. Non‑washable items should be sealed in a plastic bag and frozen for 48 hours or exposed to steam.
Maintain a schedule of weekly laundering for all sleep‑area textiles during an infestation. Replace or wash any items that have come into direct contact with an infested person. By consistently applying heat, thorough drying, and, when necessary, chemical or freezing treatments, the environment can be rendered inhospitable to lice and their eggs.