What should you soak linens in to treat bedbugs? - briefly
Use water heated to at least 120 °F (49 °C), optionally mixed with a safe concentration of laundry bleach, and then tumble‑dry the items on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. This combination eliminates all life stages of the pest.
What should you soak linens in to treat bedbugs? - in detail
To eliminate bedbugs from bedding, immerse the fabric in a solution that combines high temperature, a strong detergent, and, when safe for the material, a disinfectant. The process should follow these parameters:
- Water temperature: at least 130 °F (54 °C). This temperature kills all life stages of the insect.
- Detergent: a regular laundry detergent at the recommended concentration. The surfactant breaks down the waxy coating on the bugs’ exoskeletons.
- Disinfectant (optional): add a small amount of chlorine bleach (5–6 % sodium hypochlorite) for white or color‑fast linens. Use ½ cup per gallon of water. For colored fabrics, substitute an oxygen‑based bleach (e.g., sodium percarbonate) at the same ratio.
- Soak time: 30 minutes minimum. Longer immersion (up to 1 hour) improves efficacy, especially for heavily infested items.
- Post‑soak treatment: transfer the linens to a dryer set on high heat (≥130 °F) for at least 20 minutes. The combination of hot water and hot air ensures complete eradication.
If bleach cannot be used, a solution of hot water and a high‑efficiency laundry detergent remains effective. Adding a cup of white vinegar per load can lower pH, making the environment less hospitable to surviving bugs, but vinegar alone does not replace heat or detergent.
For delicate items that cannot tolerate high temperatures or bleach, consider professional dry‑cleaning or steam cleaning at 212 °F (100 °C) for a minimum of 10 minutes. Steam penetrates fibers and kills insects without chemical exposure.
In summary, the optimal soaking mixture consists of hot water (≥130 °F), a standard detergent, and, when fabric permits, a measured amount of bleach or an oxygen‑based alternative, followed by a high‑heat drying cycle. This protocol reliably destroys bedbugs and their eggs embedded in linens.