How to remove laundry bedbugs using folk remedies? - briefly
Run the laundry in water no cooler than 120 °F (49 °C) for at least 30 minutes and dry on the hottest setting for 30 minutes to kill all stages of the insect. Afterwards, treat the garments with a diluted tea‑tree oil spray or a light coating of food‑grade diatomaceous earth to eliminate any remaining bugs.
How to remove laundry bedbugs using folk remedies? - in detail
Bedbugs that have infested clothing can be eliminated without chemicals by applying time‑tested household techniques. The process begins with segregation: place all suspect garments in a sealed plastic bag to prevent the insects from escaping during treatment.
-
Hot water wash – Use the highest temperature setting the fabric can tolerate (typically 60 °C/140 °F). Heat kills both adult bugs and eggs within ten minutes of exposure. Add a full scoop of laundry detergent and a cup of white vinegar to enhance lethality.
-
Boiling immersion – For items that cannot be machine‑washed, submerge them in boiling water for at least five minutes. Use tongs to handle fabrics safely and dry them immediately afterward on a high‑heat dryer cycle.
-
Sun exposure – Lay dried clothing in direct sunlight for a minimum of four hours. Ultraviolet radiation and ambient heat disrupt the insects’ nervous system, causing rapid mortality.
-
Freezing – Seal garments in airtight bags and store them in a freezer set to –18 °C (0 °F) for 72 hours. The low temperature freezes bugs at all life stages, rendering them inert.
-
Essential‑oil spray – Combine 20 ml of tea‑tree oil, 15 ml of lavender oil, and 200 ml of distilled water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the fabric, focusing on seams and folds. Both oils possess insecticidal properties that repel and incapacitate bedbugs. Repeat the application after each laundering cycle.
-
Baking‑soda dusting – Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over dry clothing, let it sit for 30 minutes, then shake or brush off. The powder desiccates the insects, leading to dehydration and death.
After any of the above treatments, run a final drying phase on the highest heat setting the material allows for at least 30 minutes. This ensures any surviving organisms are eradicated. Inspect the clothing visually before returning it to regular use; look for tiny, reddish‑brown specks or shed skins, especially near seams and pockets.
Precautions: Verify fabric care labels to avoid damage from extreme temperatures. When handling essential oils, wear gloves to prevent skin irritation. Ensure proper ventilation when using vinegar or oil sprays. Combine methods (e.g., hot wash followed by freezing) for stubborn infestations.
By following these steps, household laundry can be cleared of bedbugs without resorting to synthetic insecticides, preserving both fabric integrity and indoor health.