How to wash clothes to remove bedbugs? - briefly
Wash infested garments in water at 120 °F (49 °C) or hotter for a minimum of 30 minutes, then tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Store the cleaned items in airtight containers until the problem is confirmed resolved.
How to wash clothes to remove bedbugs? - in detail
Washing garments correctly eliminates bedbug infestations. Follow each step precisely.
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Separate items – keep infested clothing apart from uncontaminated laundry. Place the suspect pieces in a sealed plastic bag until they can be processed.
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Pre‑treat – spray the fabric with a bedbug‑specific insecticide or apply a diluted solution of rubbing alcohol (70 %). Allow the treatment to act for 10 minutes, then rinse.
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Select water temperature – set the washing machine to the hottest cycle the fabric can tolerate, at least 120 °F (49 °C). Heat above this threshold kills all life stages of the pest.
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Add detergent – use a full dose of regular laundry detergent. For extra protection, incorporate a small amount of laundry sanitizer approved for pest control.
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Run the wash – complete the full cycle, including a prolonged rinse to remove residues that could attract insects later.
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Dry thoroughly – transfer the clothes to a dryer set on high heat (minimum 130 °F / 54 °C) for at least 30 minutes. Heat exposure during drying is crucial; it destroys any eggs that survived washing.
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Inspect and repeat if needed – after cooling, examine seams, folds, and pockets for remaining insects. If any are found, repeat washing and drying.
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Store safely – place cleaned garments in airtight containers or vacuum‑sealed bags to prevent re‑contamination.
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Handle non‑washable items – for fabrics that cannot endure high temperatures, seal them in a freezer at –4 °F (–20 °C) for 72 hours, then launder according to the material’s care label.
Adhering to these procedures guarantees that clothing is free of bedbugs and their eggs, eliminating a common source of reinfestation.