How do you wash laundry if there are lice? - briefly
Wash all contaminated fabrics in water of at least 130 °F (55 °C) with detergent, then tumble‑dry on the highest heat setting for at least 20 minutes. Seal any items that cannot be heated in a sealed plastic bag for 48 hours to starve remaining lice and nits.
How do you wash laundry if there are lice? - in detail
When clothing, bedding, or towels have been exposed to head‑lice, immediate decontamination prevents reinfestation. The process relies on temperature, detergent action, and thorough equipment cleaning.
- Separate contaminated items from unaffected laundry. Place them in a dedicated bag to avoid cross‑contamination.
- Wash using the hottest cycle the fabric tolerates; a minimum of 130 °F (54 °C) is required to kill lice and nits. Select a heavy‑duty detergent to break down proteinaceous secretions that protect the insects.
- Add a disinfectant approved for fabrics, such as a diluted chlorine bleach solution (½ cup per gallon) or a commercial laundry sanitizer, following label instructions.
- After washing, tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 20 minutes. Heat eliminates any surviving stages that survived the wash.
- Inspect items for residual nits. If any remain, repeat the wash‑dry cycle or discard the item if it cannot withstand high temperatures.
Cleaning the washing machine is essential. Run an empty hot‑water cycle with bleach or a commercial appliance cleaner. Wipe the drum, door seal, and detergent drawer with a disinfectant wipe to remove any stray lice or eggs.
For garments labeled “cold‑wash only,” seal them in a plastic bag and place them in a freezer at –4 °F (–20 °C) for 24 hours. The prolonged cold exposure kills lice and nits without damaging the fabric. After thawing, launder on the recommended cycle with detergent and dry on the highest safe heat setting.
Personal items that cannot be laundered—such as hairbrushes, combs, or hats—should be immersed in hot water (≥130 °F) for 10 minutes or placed in a sealed bag and frozen for the same duration. Vacuum upholstered furniture and car seats, then steam‑clean or apply an approved insecticide if necessary.
Following these steps eliminates lice from fabrics and reduces the risk of recurrence. Regular monitoring of hair and scalp, combined with the described laundering protocol, ensures comprehensive control.