How should bedding be washed after a lice infestation? - briefly
Wash all bedding in water that reaches at least 130 °F (54 °C) and dry on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes to eliminate lice and their eggs. Separate contaminated items from unaffected laundry and keep them sealed until the infestation is fully resolved.
How should bedding be washed after a lice infestation? - in detail
After a lice outbreak, all fabrics that have contacted the host must be treated to eradicate viable eggs and nymphs. The following protocol ensures thorough decontamination.
Hot‑water laundering is essential. Set the washing machine to the highest temperature safe for the material, typically 60 °C (140 °F) or higher. Use a regular detergent; adding a small amount of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is permissible for white or color‑fast items, but not required for all fabrics. Run a complete wash cycle, followed by an extra rinse to remove any residual chemicals.
Drying must continue the thermal treatment. Transfer the washed items to a dryer set to high heat for at least 30 minutes. Heat above 55 °C (130 °F) destroys both lice and their eggs. If a dryer is unavailable, place the linens in direct sunlight for several hours; ultraviolet exposure and elevated temperature provide a secondary kill mechanism.
Items that cannot endure high temperatures require alternative measures. Seal such pieces in a heavy‑duty plastic bag and store them at ambient room temperature for a minimum of two weeks. Lice cannot survive beyond 48 hours without a blood meal, and eggs will hatch within that period; extended isolation guarantees death of any remaining stages.
Separate the cleaning process from personal clothing to avoid cross‑contamination. Use dedicated laundry baskets for contaminated linens, and disinfect their surfaces with an appropriate sanitizer after each use.
A concise checklist:
- Sort linens by heat tolerance.
- Wash at ≥ 60 °C; add bleach only if fabric permits.
- Dry on high heat for ≥ 30 minutes or expose to direct sunlight.
- For heat‑sensitive items, seal in plastic and store for ≥ 14 days.
- Disinfect laundry containers and any tools used.
Following these steps eliminates lice and their eggs from all bedding, reducing the risk of re‑infestation.