What should be used to wash after treating bedbugs? - briefly
Wash all bedding, clothing, and fabrics in water at least 130 °F (54 °C) with detergent, adding a laundry disinfectant or bleach if desired. Dry on high heat to eliminate any surviving insects.
What should be used to wash after treating bedbugs? - in detail
After a bed‑bug eradication procedure, every item that may have been exposed must be cleaned thoroughly to eliminate residual insects and eggs.
Fabric items such as sheets, pillowcases, blankets, clothing, and curtains should be laundered in water that reaches at least 60 °C (140 °F). Use a standard detergent; for white or color‑fast fabrics add 0.5 %‑5 % chlorine bleach, and for delicate or colored items apply an oxygen‑based bleach according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Follow the wash cycle with a high‑heat dryer cycle lasting a minimum of 30 minutes, or expose the items to direct sunlight for several hours if a dryer is unavailable.
Hard surfaces—floors, baseboards, bed frames, and nightstands—require a wiping solution of either a 1 : 10 dilution of a household disinfectant containing at least 0.1 % quaternary ammonium compounds or 70 % isopropyl alcohol. Apply the solution, allow a contact time of 10 minutes, then rinse with clean water and dry.
Mattresses, upholstered chairs, and other porous furnishings cannot be laundered. Use a commercial steam cleaner that produces steam at 100 °C (212 °F) or higher; treat each area for 10–15 minutes, ensuring the steam penetrates the material. After steaming, vacuum the surface with a HEPA‑rated vacuum to capture dislodged eggs and insects.
Items that cannot be washed or steamed—electronic devices, books, or delicate décor—should be sealed in airtight plastic bags for a minimum of two weeks, a period sufficient to cause mortality in any remaining bugs. Alternatively, place such items in a freezer set to –18 °C (0 °F) for at least four days.
Finally, discard vacuum bags, cleaning rags, and any water used in the decontamination process in sealed containers to prevent re‑infestation.