How to wash clothing to remove lice? - briefly
Wash infested garments in water at least 130 °F (54 °C) and dry them on a high‑heat setting for 30 minutes or longer. Separate these items from other laundry and keep the cleaned clothes sealed until the treatment is finished.
How to wash clothing to remove lice? - in detail
When an infestation occurs, every piece of fabric that has contacted the host must be treated to eradicate the parasites. The following protocol eliminates lice and their eggs from clothing and linens.
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Separate items that have been in direct contact with the affected person from untouched laundry. Place them in a dedicated basket to avoid cross‑contamination.
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Pre‑soak garments in hot water (minimum 130 °F / 54 °C) for at least 10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of liquid detergent per gallon of water; the surfactant helps dissolve the protective coating on nits.
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Transfer the soaked items to a washing machine. Use the hottest cycle the fabric can tolerate, again reaching at least 130 °F. Include a full dose of detergent and, if available, an antiparasitic laundry additive such as benzyl benzoate or permethrin‑based powder.
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After the wash, run a high‑heat dryer cycle for a minimum of 30 minutes. Temperatures above 120 °F (49 °C) are sufficient to kill both insects and eggs. For items that cannot be tumble‑dried, press them with a hot iron or place them in a sealed bag and expose them to a commercial steam cleaner.
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Store cleaned clothing in sealed plastic containers until the infestation is fully resolved. This prevents re‑infestation from stray nits that may have survived the process.
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Items that cannot withstand high temperatures—such as delicate underwear, scarves, or certain synthetic fabrics—should be placed in a freezer set to –4 °F (–20 °C) for at least 72 hours. Freezing at this temperature destroys lice and nits without damaging the material.
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For shoes, bags, and other non‑washable objects, immerse them in a solution of 0.5 % permethrin for 10 minutes, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Alternatively, expose them to a portable steam device for at least 5 minutes, ensuring the steam penetrates seams and folds.
Following each step consistently removes all life stages of the parasite from textiles, eliminating the source of re‑infection and supporting overall eradication efforts.