How can I quickly and effectively eliminate bedbugs in laundry at home? - briefly
Wash infested items in water at 120 °F (49 °C) or higher for at least 30 minutes, then tumble‑dry on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes or more. Immediately store the cleaned laundry in airtight containers to block any remaining bugs.
How can I quickly and effectively eliminate bedbugs in laundry at home? - in detail
Use the hottest wash setting your machine allows, typically 60 °C (140 °F) or higher. At this temperature, bedbug eggs and adults are killed within minutes. Add a full‑dose laundry detergent to maintain cleaning power.
- Pre‑treatment – Before loading, soak infested items in a solution of hot water and detergent for 10–15 minutes. This loosens blood stains that may attract insects and begins the killing process.
- Wash cycle – Run a normal or heavy‑duty cycle at the maximum temperature. Use a longer wash time (30–45 minutes) to ensure thorough heat exposure.
- Rinse – Include an extra rinse to remove any remaining debris and chemicals.
- Dry – Transfer the laundry to a dryer set to high heat (≥ 70 °C / 158 °F) for at least 30 minutes. The combined heat of washing and drying guarantees complete eradication.
- Isolation – Place cleaned items in sealed plastic bags until the drying stage finishes. This prevents re‑infestation from surrounding surfaces.
- Repeat if needed – For heavily infested loads, repeat the wash‑dry cycle once more.
Additional measures
- Steam – If a dryer is unavailable, use a handheld steamer on fabrics for 5–10 minutes, focusing on seams and folds where bugs hide.
- Freezing – For delicate items that cannot tolerate heat, seal them in a freezer bag and keep at –18 °C (0 °F) for at least 72 hours. This temperature kills all life stages.
- Inspection – After drying, examine seams, folds, and hems for any surviving insects. Use a flashlight and magnifier if necessary.
- Preventive steps – Store laundered clothing in airtight containers, avoid piling clean laundry near infested areas, and regularly clean washing‑machine seals with hot water and detergent.
By combining high‑temperature washing, thorough drying, and supplementary methods such as steam or freezing, bedbugs in laundry can be eliminated rapidly and reliably without professional intervention.