How can you kill laundry bedbugs? - briefly
Run the contaminated laundry in water at 120 °F (49 °C) or hotter and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. For persistent infestations, apply a fabric‑safe insecticide or have the items professionally heat‑treated.
How can you kill laundry bedbugs? - in detail
Bedbugs that infest clothing survive most washes, but they can be exterminated with targeted actions.
First, select the hottest water setting your fabrics allow; temperatures of 120 °F (49 °C) or higher destroy eggs and nymphs within minutes. Run a full‑cycle wash, then dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes; dryer heat penetrates fibers and kills any remaining insects.
If fabrics cannot endure high heat, use a chemical treatment before laundering. Apply a label‑approved insecticide spray to the garment, covering all seams and folds. Allow the product to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then launder as usual.
For items that cannot be washed, place them in a sealed plastic bag and expose them to a professional heat‑treatment chamber, where temperatures of 135 °F (57 °C) for 90 seconds are sufficient to eradicate pests.
Additional measures reinforce the process:
- Inspect and clean washing machine drums with a disinfectant after each load.
- Vacuum the laundry area, focusing on cracks and crevices where bedbugs hide.
- Store cleaned clothing in airtight containers to prevent re‑infestation.
Combining high‑temperature laundering, approved insecticide application, and proper post‑wash handling provides a reliable protocol for eliminating bedbugs from garments.