How should a room be treated after lice? - briefly
All bedding, clothing, and washable items should be laundered at 130 °F (54 °C) or higher; non‑washable objects must be sealed in plastic bags for two weeks. Vacuum carpets and upholstery thoroughly, then discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister.
How should a room be treated after lice? - in detail
A thorough decontamination protocol is essential after a lice infestation to eliminate viable eggs and adult insects from the environment.
All bedding, clothing, and washable fabrics must be placed in sealed plastic bags for at least 48 hours before laundering. Wash items on the hottest cycle the fabric permits, targeting a minimum temperature of 55 °C (130 °F). Follow with a high‑heat dryer cycle of at least 30 minutes; heat alone destroys both lice and nits.
Vacuum all carpeted areas, rugs, and upholstered furniture using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister to prevent re‑contamination. For hard surfaces, mop with a disinfectant solution containing at least 0.1 % sodium hypochlorite or an EPA‑registered lice‑kill product.
Steam‑cleaning is effective for items that cannot be laundered, such as mattresses, pillows, and curtains. Apply steam at a temperature of 100 °C (212 °F) for a minimum of 10 seconds per area; the heat penetrates deep enough to kill eggs embedded in fibers.
Non‑washable objects (e.g., stuffed toys, plastic toys) should be sealed in airtight containers for two weeks, a period exceeding the lice life cycle, or exposed to direct sunlight for several hours, which reduces egg viability.
After cleaning, maintain the room in a lice‑free state by restricting access for at least 72 hours, conducting daily visual inspections of occupants, and repeating vacuuming of high‑traffic zones every 24 hours for the first week. Continuous monitoring and prompt removal of any newly detected insects prevent re‑establishment of the infestation.