How to treat the bed after lice? - briefly
Remove all sheets, pillowcases and blankets, wash them in water of at least 60 °C and tumble‑dry on high heat; vacuum the mattress, box spring and surrounding furniture, then apply a high‑temperature steam treatment or a lice‑approved insecticide spray to any remaining fabric or crevices.
How to treat the bed after lice? - in detail
After a lice infestation, the sleeping surface must be decontaminated to eliminate nymphs and eggs that survive on fabric and foam. Temperature and thorough removal are the most reliable controls.
All sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and washable covers should be laundered in water of at least 60 °C (140 °F) for a minimum of 30 minutes. Immediate transfer to a dryer set on high heat for 20 minutes completes the thermal kill. Items that cannot be machine‑washed require alternative treatment: place in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks, discarding if damage occurs.
The mattress itself cannot be laundered; it requires a multi‑step approach:
- Vacuum the entire surface, including seams, using a hose attachment. Empty the vacuum container into a sealed bag and discard.
- Apply saturated steam (minimum 100 °C) across the mattress for 10 minutes, ensuring penetration into foam layers.
- Cover the mattress with an encasement certified to block insects, sealing all edges with tape.
Pillows, cushions, and non‑washable accessories follow the same protocol: steam treatment or sealed‑bag isolation for two weeks. Clothing worn during the infestation must be washed at high temperature or placed in a sealed bag for the same period.
Preventive actions reduce recurrence:
- Replace or wash bedding weekly during an outbreak.
- Use lice‑proof mattress and pillow encasements permanently.
- Conduct visual inspections of hair and bedding every few days.
By adhering to these procedures, the sleeping environment becomes inhospitable to lice, breaking the infestation cycle.