How to clean a comb of lice? - briefly
Soak the comb in hot, soapy water for about 10 minutes, scrub the teeth with a nail brush, rinse well, and dry completely. Then disinfect by immersing it in a 10 % bleach solution for five minutes, rinse again, and let it air‑dry before reuse.
How to clean a comb of lice? - in detail
Cleaning a lice comb thoroughly eliminates live insects, eggs, and residual debris, preventing re‑infestation. Follow these steps for complete decontamination.
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Initial rinse – Hold the comb under hot running water (at least 140 °F / 60 °C). Use a brush or fingertip to dislodge visible nits and adult lice, allowing water to wash them away.
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Soaking solution – Prepare a container with one part 70 % isopropyl alcohol and two parts water, or a mixture of 10 % bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in water. Submerge the comb completely for 10 minutes. Alcohol denatures proteins of the insects; bleach oxidizes and destroys eggs.
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Mechanical agitation – After soaking, place the comb in a bowl of the same solution and stir with a clean utensil for 30 seconds. This action detaches any remaining particles lodged in the teeth.
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Rinse and repeat – Remove the comb, rinse under hot water until no suds or chemical residue remain. Inspect the teeth; if any debris persists, repeat the soaking step.
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Drying – Shake excess water from the comb, then place it on a clean paper towel in a well‑ventilated area. Allow it to air‑dry for at least 30 minutes. For faster drying, use a hair dryer on a cool setting.
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Optional sterilization – For added safety, place the dried comb in a sealed bag and run it through a dishwasher’s high‑temperature cycle (≥ 180 °F / 82 °C) or expose it to ultraviolet light for 5 minutes.
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Storage – Keep the cleaned comb in a dry, closed container to avoid moisture buildup, which could foster egg survival.
Key points to remember