How to get rid of scabies mites on laundry? - briefly
Wash contaminated items in water of at least 60 °C (140 °F) with detergent, then tumble‑dry on the highest heat setting for at least 20 minutes. For fabrics that cannot tolerate high temperature, soak them in a 5 % household bleach solution for 30 minutes before laundering.
How to get rid of scabies mites on laundry? - in detail
When clothing, bedding, or towels have been exposed to scabies, the primary goal is to eliminate any surviving mites before they can re‑infest the host. The most reliable method combines high‑temperature washing with thorough drying.
A standard wash cycle should meet two conditions: water temperature of at least 50 °C (122 °F) and a detergent that penetrates fabric fibers. Most household machines reach this temperature on a “hot” setting; verify the thermostat if possible. If the garment label prohibits hot water, place the item in a sealed plastic bag and submerge it in a bowl of hot water for 10 minutes before laundering on a gentle, cold cycle.
After washing, the drying phase must continue the eradication process. Use a tumble dryer on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes. The combination of heat and tumbling removes any remaining eggs or larvae. Items that cannot be tumble‑dried should be ironed on a hot setting for at least five minutes per area, focusing on seams and folds where mites tend to hide.
For fabrics that cannot tolerate high heat, chemical disinfection is an alternative. A chlorine bleach solution (5 % sodium hypochlorite) diluted 1:10 with water can be applied for 10 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly. Non‑bleachable items may be treated with a 0.5 % hydrogen peroxide solution under the same timing, followed by a cold wash.
If immediate laundering is not feasible, store contaminated textiles in a sealed, airtight container for at least 72 hours. Mites cannot survive beyond three days without a host, and this isolation period reduces the risk of transfer.
Additional precautions:
- Separate potentially infested laundry from everyday clothing to avoid cross‑contamination.
- Clean the washing machine drum with a bleach solution after processing contaminated loads.
- Wear disposable gloves while handling infected items and wash hands with soap and hot water afterward.
- Replace worn‑out clothing and bedding that cannot be adequately disinfected.
By adhering to these temperature, drying, and chemical protocols, all stages of the scabies life cycle—egg, larva, nymph, adult—are destroyed, ensuring that laundry no longer poses a threat of reinfestation.