What should you do with bedbugs in laundry? - briefly
Immediately wash all affected items in water at least 120 °F (49 °C) and dry them on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Seal any non‑washable items in airtight bags and treat the surrounding area with an approved insecticide or professional pest control.
What should you do with bedbugs in laundry? - in detail
When clothing, bedding, or other fabrics are found to contain bedbugs, treat the items as a potential source of infestation. Immediately separate the contaminated load from other laundry and place it in a sealed plastic bag to prevent insects from escaping.
Wash the infested fabrics in water that reaches at least 60 °C (140 °F); temperatures below this threshold may not kill all life stages. Use a full‑cycle wash with detergent, and add a small amount of bleach or an approved insect‑killing additive if the fabric tolerates it.
After washing, transfer the items directly to a dryer set on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes. The combination of high temperature and tumbling eliminates eggs, nymphs, and adults that survived the wash.
If any articles cannot withstand hot water or high‑heat drying, place them in a sealed bag and store in a freezer at –18 °C (0 °F) for at least four days. Freezing at this temperature kills all stages of the pest.
Once drying or freezing is complete, remove items from the sealed container, inspect for any remaining insects, and fold or store them in clean, sealed containers.
Clean the washing machine and dryer interiors. Run an empty hot‑water cycle with a cup of bleach, then wipe drum surfaces, door seals, and lint traps. Dispose of the original plastic bags by sealing them tightly and discarding them in an outdoor trash receptacle away from the home.
Finally, monitor the environment for a few weeks. Use interceptors or glue traps around sleeping areas to detect any resurgence, and repeat the laundering process if new evidence appears. This systematic approach eliminates the pests from textiles and reduces the risk of re‑infestation.