Does Washing Bedding and Clothing in High Heat Kill Bed Bugs?
If you have a bed bug infestation, washing your linens in a hot water wash has proven to be effective in killing the pests. This likely will not get rid of your infestation entirely, but high heat is known to be one of the best ways to kill bed bugs.
Here’s how to get rid of bed bugs with your washer or dryer:
- Take all sheets, bedding, blankets, etc., and sort them into piles.
- Place each sorted pile into plastic bags. Carefully transport the bag and tip out linens into the washing machine
- Using your normal detergent as needed, wash the bedding at a high temperature (at least 140°F) for 90 minutes or more.
- Quickly transfer washed clothes to the dryer and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
Cleaning Instructions for Bed Bugs in Northern Utah
If you discover a bed bug problem in your home or business, you likely want to contain the problem as soon as possible. One of the best, easiest things you can do to control the spread of a bed bug problem is to wash clothing, bedding, and any other infested fabrics in a high-heat washing cycle on your machine. However, it’s important to be extremely cautious when transferring infested items from one area in your home to another to avoid spreading the bugs. First, it’s important to sort your clothes. After sorting as you normally would, place each sorted pile into separate plastic bags. Seal the bags prior to moving to your machines to avoid them getting into other rooms.
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Can Bed Bugs Survive the Washing Machine?
Time and time again, extreme temperatures are the best way to kill bed bugs. Washing your clothing and bedding in a high heat wash should effectively kill off any bugs, as well as any eggs they’ve possibly laid. It’s important to exercise caution in moving infested linens during the process to avoid spreading the bed bugs to other rooms.
Will Washing Bed-Bug Infested Linens Always Work?
Although washing and drying linens in high temperatures help, this method is not sufficient to control a serious bed bug infestation. To get rid of a bed bug infestation, it’s important to enlist the help of a professional bed bug exterminator.
Does Washing Bedding and Clothing in High Heat Kill Bed Bugs? in Salt Lake County and Northern Utah
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