How to treat laundry for ticks? - briefly
Wash garments in water of at least 130 °F (54 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes; both steps reliably kill attached ticks. If hot washing or drying is not possible, freeze items for 48 hours or treat them with an approved tick‑killing spray.
How to treat laundry for ticks? - in detail
Treating clothing that may contain ticks requires a combination of temperature control, chemical agents, and proper handling to ensure all life stages are eliminated.
First, wash the garments in hot water. Set the machine to the highest temperature safe for the fabric, typically 130 °F (54 °C) or higher. Heat at this level kills larvae, nymphs, and adult ticks within minutes.
Second, use a detergent that contains an insect‑killing ingredient, such as permethrin‑treated laundry soap, or add a standard detergent followed by a rinse with a solution of 0.5 % household bleach. The chemical residue penetrates the fabric and destroys any remaining organisms.
Third, dry the items on a high‑heat setting. A dryer cycle of at least 30 minutes at 150 °F (65 °C) or more guarantees complete mortality, as ticks cannot survive prolonged exposure to such temperatures.
If the fabric cannot tolerate high heat, consider the following alternatives:
- Soak the items in a solution of 10 % industrial-grade insecticide (e.g., cyfluthrin) for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
- Place the clothing in a sealed plastic bag and freeze at –20 °F (–29 °C) for at least 48 hours; freezing kills ticks but does not remove them, so subsequent washing is still required.
- Use a steam press or handheld steamer set to a temperature above 212 °F (100 °C) to treat specific areas, especially seams and cuffs where ticks may hide.
After processing, inspect the garments visually for any remnants. Dispose of lint from the dryer and washing machine filters in a sealed bag to prevent accidental re‑infestation. Store cleaned clothing in a dry, sealed container until use.
Following these steps—high‑temperature washing, chemical treatment, thorough drying, and proper post‑laundry handling—ensures that clothing is free of ticks and reduces the risk of bites or disease transmission.