How should you treat clothing after lice appear? - briefly
Immediately seal all worn clothing, bedding, and accessories in a plastic bag for 48 hours, or launder them in water at least 130 °F (54 °C) followed by a high‑heat dryer cycle. Items that cannot be washed should be bagged for two weeks or dry‑cleaned, and vacuum upholstered surfaces to eliminate any remaining lice or eggs.
How should you treat clothing after lice appear? - in detail
When lice are discovered on a person, every piece of clothing, bedding, and fabric that has been in contact must be decontaminated to prevent reinfestation. The most reliable method is a hot‑water wash followed by high‑heat drying.
- Separate all items that may have been exposed.
- Wash each item in water of at least 130 °F (54 °C) for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- Immediately place the washed items in a dryer set to the highest heat setting for at least 20 minutes.
- For fabrics that cannot withstand high temperatures, place them in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks; the lice and their eggs cannot survive without a host for that period.
- Non‑washable items such as hats, shoes, or delicate accessories should be either discarded or isolated in airtight containers for the same two‑week duration.
- After treatment, inspect all garments for remaining nits; repeat washing if any are observed.
Items that are not suitable for laundering or sealing—such as upholstered furniture cushions, car seats, or stuffed toys—should be vacuumed thoroughly, then the vacuum bag or canister emptied into a sealed bag and discarded. Re‑vacuuming after a few days adds an extra safety margin.
Repeat the cleaning cycle after a second infestation is ruled out, typically 7–10 days after the initial treatment, to eliminate any newly hatched nymphs that may have survived the first round. Maintaining these procedures eliminates the risk of recurring infestations and ensures that all garments and fabrics remain free of lice and their eggs.