How long do ticks live on clothing after washing? - briefly
A hot‑water wash (≥130 °F) kills ticks within minutes, and any survivors are destroyed in a high‑heat dryer cycle. Consequently, washed clothing contains no live ticks.
How long do ticks live on clothing after washing? - in detail
Ticks that have been placed on fabric are generally killed during a standard wash cycle if the water temperature reaches at least 40 °C (104 °F) and detergent is used. Under those conditions, the insects die within minutes, and no viable individuals remain after the rinse.
If the wash is performed at lower temperatures (below 30 °C/86 °F) or without detergent, adult ticks, nymphs, and larvae can survive the entire cycle. In that case, they may remain alive on the garment for several days, depending on ambient humidity and temperature. Laboratory studies show that unfed adult Ixodes scapularis survive up to 7 days on dry fabric at room temperature; nymphs and larvae persist slightly longer under similar conditions.
Drying adds a decisive factor. A tumble dryer set to high heat (≥ 60 °C/140 °F) eliminates any surviving ticks within a single 10‑minute cycle. Air‑drying or low‑heat settings do not guarantee mortality; ticks may re‑activate after the fabric cools.
Key points for ensuring complete eradication:
- Use water ≥ 40 °C with laundry detergent.
- Include a high‑heat dryer cycle of at least 10 minutes.
- For fabrics that cannot be machine‑washed, soak in hot, soapy water (≥ 45 °C/113 °F) for 15 minutes, then rinse and tumble‑dry.
- Inspect clothing after washing; remove any visible arthropods before storage.
If any of the above parameters are not met, expect ticks to remain viable for up to a week on dry clothing, with the risk of reattachment when the garment is worn. The safest practice is to combine hot water washing, detergent, and high‑heat drying to guarantee zero survival.