How to wash clothes with bed bugs? - briefly
Wash infested garments in water of at least 120 °F (49 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes. If heating is impractical, place items in a freezer at –4 °F (‑20 °C) for four days.
How to wash clothes with bed bugs? - in detail
Cleaning garments that may contain bed‑bug infestations requires a systematic approach to ensure complete eradication and prevent re‑infestation.
Begin by separating items according to fabric type and level of contamination. Delicate fabrics that cannot tolerate high heat should be isolated for alternative treatment, such as freezing.
For washable items, follow these steps:
- Place all pieces in the washing machine; avoid overloading to allow thorough agitation.
- Select the hottest water setting permitted by the care label, typically ≥ 60 °C (140 °F).
- Add a full‑dose laundry detergent; consider a detergent formulated for pest control if available.
- Run a complete wash cycle, followed by an extra rinse to remove any residual detergent.
- Transfer wet garments directly to a dryer; do not allow them to sit in the drum.
- Dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes; the heat must reach a minimum of 55 °C (130 °F) throughout the fabric.
- After drying, store items in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers until the surrounding area has been treated.
For items unsuitable for hot water, apply one of the following methods:
- Freezing: place garments in a freezer set to – 18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of 72 hours.
- Steam: expose clothing to saturated steam at ≥ 100 °C (212 °F) for several minutes, ensuring steam penetrates all seams.
Inspect all cleaned clothing for live insects before returning them to living spaces. Use a lint‑free brush or a handheld microscope if necessary.
Finally, repeat the laundering process for any clothing that was initially set aside for alternative treatment, confirming that all fabrics have undergone either high‑temperature washing or validated heat‑based decontamination.