What should I wash clothes with to remove bedbugs? - briefly
Use water at least 120 °F (49 °C) with regular laundry detergent, then tumble‑dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. The heat eliminates all life stages of the insects, rendering the clothing safe for use.
What should I wash clothes with to remove bedbugs? - in detail
Bedbugs survive on clothing and other textiles; thorough laundering eliminates all life stages.
Water temperature must reach at least 49 °C (120 °F). For cotton, denim, and other sturdy fabrics, 60 °C (140 °F) provides a safety margin. Delicate items that cannot tolerate high heat should be pre‑treated with a commercial insecticide spray approved for fabrics before washing.
A standard laundry detergent removes organic residues that attract insects. Adding ½ cup of borax or a few drops of an insect‑killing concentrate (e.g., permethrin‑based) enhances mortality without damaging fibers.
Bleach improves results on white garments. Use chlorine bleach at the manufacturer’s recommended dilution for a 10‑minute soak, then run a full wash cycle. For colored fabrics, employ an oxygen‑based bleach to avoid fading.
Select the longest wash cycle available; a pre‑soak of 30 minutes in hot water increases exposure time. After washing, transfer items directly to a dryer set to high heat (≥ 54 °C / 130 °F) for a minimum of 30 minutes. Heat penetrates seams and folds, ensuring complete eradication.
If a dryer is unavailable, expose garments to direct sunlight for several hours; ultraviolet radiation and ambient heat contribute to insect death, though results are less reliable than mechanical drying.
After laundering, place each item in a sealed polyethylene bag until the surrounding environment is confirmed free of bedbugs. Avoid re‑introducing clothing to infested rooms or storage areas.
For items that cannot be washed, apply professional heat‑treatment equipment (steam at ≥ 100 °C) or freeze at –18 °C (0 °F) for at least 72 hours; both methods achieve comparable mortality rates.
Recommended laundering protocol
- Pre‑treat delicate or heavily infested pieces with an approved insecticide.
- Wash at ≥ 49 °C (120 °F) using regular detergent; add borax or insecticidal concentrate if desired.
- Include appropriate bleach: chlorine for whites, oxygen for colors.
- Run the longest cycle with a 30‑minute pre‑soak.
- Dry on high heat (≥ 54 °C / 130 °F) for ≥ 30 minutes, or sun‑expose if dryer unavailable.
- Seal laundered items in airtight bags pending confirmation of a pest‑free environment.
Following this regimen guarantees the removal of bedbugs from clothing and prevents re‑infestation.