How should clothing be washed after a bedbug infestation? - briefly
Launder all garments in water of at least 60 °C and tumble‑dry on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes. Items that cannot tolerate heat should be sealed in airtight bags and frozen at –18 °C for several days.
How should clothing be washed after a bedbug infestation? - in detail
After confirming the presence of bedbugs, all textiles require thorough decontamination. The process must eliminate both adult insects and their eggs.
- Separate infested garments from unaffected items. Place each piece in a sealed plastic bag before transport to the washing area.
- Examine pockets and seams; remove foreign objects that could hinder cleaning.
- Wash using water at a minimum of 50 °C (120 °F). Maintain this temperature for at least 30 minutes to ensure lethal exposure.
- Add a detergent that remains effective at high temperatures; avoid fabric softeners that may create a protective film.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove residual detergent and debris.
- Transfer washed items directly to a dryer. Operate on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes, achieving an internal temperature of 54 °C (130 °F). Verify temperature with a reliable thermometer if possible.
- For fabrics unable to withstand heat, place sealed bags of clothing in a freezer at –18 °C (0 °F) for 72 hours. This method kills all life stages without damaging delicate materials.
- Once dried, store garments in airtight containers or zip‑lock bags. Keep containers away from known infestation zones to prevent reintroduction.
If any item shows signs of damage after washing, discard it safely in a sealed bag before disposal. Follow these steps for every load of laundry until the environment is declared free of bedbugs.