How to wash clothing to remove bed bugs? - briefly
Wash infested garments in water at least 120 °F (49 °C) for 30 minutes, then immediately dry them on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes. Seal any items that cannot be laundered in a sealed plastic bag for at least two weeks to starve remaining bugs.
How to wash clothing to remove bed bugs? - in detail
Washing garments effectively eliminates bed‑bug infestations when the process follows precise temperature and handling guidelines. Begin by separating infested items from untreated laundry to avoid cross‑contamination. Place each piece in a sealed plastic bag until it can be loaded into the machine; this prevents insects from escaping during transport.
Use hot water that reaches at least 49 °C (120 °F). Temperatures below this threshold do not guarantee mortality for all life stages. Select the longest wash cycle available, add a regular detergent, and consider an additional boost of a non‑chlorine bleach or an oxygen‑based cleaner for fabrics that tolerate it. For items that cannot withstand high heat, soak them in a solution of 1 % laundry detergent and 0.5 % isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes before washing at the highest safe temperature.
After the wash, transfer the clothing directly to a dryer set on high heat (minimum 60 °C / 140 °F). Run the dryer for at least 30 minutes; the combined effect of heat and tumbling destroys both adult insects and eggs. If a dryer is unavailable, place garments in a sealed container and expose them to a portable heater or a sunny outdoor environment where ambient temperatures exceed 45 °C (113 °F) for several hours.
For delicate fabrics that cannot be machine‑washed, use a freezer method: seal the items in an airtight bag and freeze at –18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of four days. Freezing kills bed bugs at all stages, but it does not remove potential residual stains or odors, so subsequent laundering at the highest permissible temperature is advisable.
Inspect all washed items before returning them to the living area. Look for live insects, shed skins, or fecal spots. If any signs remain, repeat the hot‑wash and high‑heat‑dry cycle. Store cleaned clothing in sealed containers until the surrounding environment has been treated and verified free of infestation.
Key steps in summary
- Separate and bag infested garments.
- Wash at ≥49 °C (120 °F) using the longest cycle and appropriate detergent.
- Add bleach or oxygen‑based cleaner if fabric permits.
- Dry on high heat (≥60 °C / 140 °F) for ≥30 minutes.
- For heat‑sensitive items, apply freezing (–18 °C / 0 °F) for ≥4 days, then wash.
- Inspect and repeat if any evidence of pests persists.
Following this protocol ensures that clothing no longer harbors bed‑bug populations and reduces the risk of re‑infestation.