How to fight laundry bedbugs at home? - briefly
Wash all infested fabrics in water at a minimum of 120 °F (49 °C) and dry them on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes to eradicate bugs and eggs; then seal the cleaned items in airtight bags. Treat surrounding areas with a residual insecticide or apply steam to any remaining surfaces to prevent re‑infestation.
How to fight laundry bedbugs at home? - in detail
Bedbugs often survive in clothing, linens, and fabrics that have been left untouched for long periods. Effective eradication relies on correctly processing these items through washing, drying, and post‑treatment steps.
Begin by separating infested garments from uncontaminated ones. Examine each piece for live insects, eggs, or shed skins; discard heavily damaged items that cannot be cleaned. Place all salvageable fabrics in a sealed plastic bag and transport them directly to the laundry area to prevent further spread.
Wash the collected items using the hottest water the fabric can tolerate. Set the machine to a temperature of at least 60 °C (140 °F) and run a full‑length cycle with a standard detergent. Add a non‑chlorine bleach or an oxygen‑based whitening agent for extra lethality, especially on whites and color‑fast fabrics. For delicate items that cannot endure high heat, use a pre‑wash soak in hot water (≥ 50 °C) combined with a commercial insect‑killing detergent before the regular cycle.
After washing, dry the items on the highest heat setting available. Maintain a dryer temperature of at least 65 °C (149 °F) for a minimum of 30 minutes. The combination of heat and tumbling destroys both adult bugs and eggs. For items that cannot be tumble‑dried, place them in a sealed container and expose them to direct sunlight for several hours, ensuring the surface temperature reaches the same lethal range.
Once the cycle is complete, store the cleaned fabrics in airtight containers or vacuum‑sealed bags until they can be re‑used. Clean the washing machine drum by running an empty hot‑water cycle with a cup of white vinegar or a commercial machine sanitizer. Wipe the door seal, detergent drawer, and any accessible hoses with a cloth soaked in disinfectant to remove residual insects.
If heat treatment proves insufficient for certain materials, consider alternative methods:
- Freeze infested items at –20 °C (–4 °F) for at least 72 hours; the prolonged cold kills all life stages.
- Apply a handheld steam generator, directing steam at a temperature of 100 °C (212 °F) for several seconds per area.
- Use a residual insecticide labeled for fabric treatment, following label directions precisely; avoid over‑application to prevent chemical damage.
Finally, implement preventive practices: launder bedding and clothing regularly, especially after travel; keep closets and storage boxes free of clutter; inspect secondhand garments before introduction into the home. Consistent execution of these procedures eliminates bedbugs from laundry and reduces the risk of re‑infestation.