How to wash a comb after lice? - briefly
Soak the comb in hot water (minimum 130 °F/54 °C) with detergent for about 10 minutes, scrub it with a brush, and rinse thoroughly. Dry it on a clean towel or in a high‑heat dryer to eliminate any remaining eggs.
How to wash a comb after lice? - in detail
Cleaning a comb that has been used during a lice treatment requires thorough disinfection to eliminate any remaining nits or adult insects. Follow these precise actions:
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Remove hair and debris. Rinse the comb under warm running water while brushing the teeth of the comb with a nail brush or an old toothbrush. This step clears visible material that could shield organisms from the cleaning solution.
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Submerge in a disinfectant solution. Prepare a mixture of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water (approximately 5 % sodium hypochlorite). Place the comb fully in the solution for at least 10 minutes. Bleach is proven to destroy lice eggs and adult bodies on hard surfaces.
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Alternative chemical options. If bleach is unsuitable, use a 70 % isopropyl alcohol bath for the same duration, or a commercial lice‑killing spray containing permethrin or pyrethrin, following the product’s label for contact time.
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Rinse thoroughly. After the soak, remove the comb and rinse under hot running water for 30 seconds to wash away residual chemicals. Ensure no bleach odor remains.
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Dry completely. Shake off excess water, then place the comb on a clean towel or a paper towel in a well‑ventilated area. Allow it to air‑dry for at least one hour. Heat‑based drying, such as a hair dryer set to high heat for 2–3 minutes, can be used if immediate reuse is required.
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Store safely. Once dry, keep the comb in a sealed plastic bag or a dedicated container to prevent re‑contamination until the next use.
Repeatedly applying these steps after each lice treatment session guarantees that the comb remains free of viable parasites, reducing the risk of reinfestation.