How can you remove bedbugs from clothing at home? - briefly
Wash fabrics in water at 120 °F (49 °C) or hotter and tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes; for items that cannot be laundered, place them in a sealed plastic bag and freeze at 0 °F (‑18 °C) for several days. Afterwards, inspect and vacuum the area where the clothing was stored.
How can you remove bedbugs from clothing at home? - in detail
Eliminating bedbugs from garments requires a combination of heat, thorough cleaning, and careful handling of infested items.
Begin with a high‑temperature wash. Set the machine to the hottest cycle the fabric can tolerate, typically 60 °C (140 °F) or higher. Use a strong detergent and add a cup of white vinegar or a few drops of a bedbug‑specific laundry additive to enhance efficacy. Run a full rinse to remove any residues.
After washing, transfer the clothing to a dryer. Operate the dryer on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Heat above 49 °C (120 °F) kills all life stages of the insect, and prolonged exposure ensures any hidden eggs are destroyed.
For fabrics that cannot withstand high heat, employ a freezing method. Place sealed bags of the clothing in a freezer set to –18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of four days. The sustained low temperature eliminates both bugs and eggs.
If heat or cold are impractical, treat the items with a residual insecticide approved for textiles. Follow the product label precisely: spray the fabric evenly, allow the recommended drying time, and repeat the application after a week to target any newly hatched insects.
Inspect each piece after treatment. Use a bright light and a magnifying glass to check seams, folds, and pockets for live insects or shed skins. Return any contaminated items to the washing or freezing cycle.
Finally, prevent re‑infestation by storing cleaned clothing in airtight containers or sealed plastic bags. Avoid placing garments on the floor or near baseboards, and regularly launder bedding and other washable fabrics using the same high‑heat protocol.