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Does Washing Clothes Kill Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are elusive pests that hide in the smallest crevices, making them difficult to spot and eliminate. If you’ve encountered these pests ever in your home, you’re probably wondering if washing clothes can help eliminate them. 

Yes, washing clothes can be an effective part against bed bugs, but it’s not enough on its own.

Below, you’ll come to know how washing clothes helps to kill bed bugs, why heat is also necessary for eradication completely, and the best methods.

How Does Washing Clothes Kill Bed Bugs?

Washing clothes, especially in hot water, can kill bed bugs at all stages of their life cycle, including their eggs, nymphs (young bed bugs), and adults. Bed bugs are highly sensitive to heat, and exposing them to temperatures above 113°F (45°C) can be fatal to them.

Hot Water: 

When washing clothes in hot water (at least 120°F or 49°C), it helps to kill any bed bugs or eggs that may be hiding in the fabric of your clothing.

Washing Alone May Not Be Enough: 

While washing clothes in hot water helps, it is not always enough to ensure complete eradication. For best results, you should also dry your clothes at high heat.

Why Drying Clothes is Crucial

While washing clothes in hot water is effective, drying your clothes on high heat is just as important in the process of eliminating bed bugs. The heat from the dryer will target any bed bugs that may have survived the wash or are hidden in folds and seams of your clothes. Here are some points showing why drying is essential:

High Heat Drying: 

Bed bugs and their eggs cannot survive in temperatures above 130°F (54°C), which is the temperature many dryers reach.  To ensure that any bed bugs are killed, drying your clothes on high heat for at least 30 minutes is recommended.

Complete Eradication: 

Washing clothes removes visible bed bugs, but the drying process ensures that bed bugs are destroyed by heat, even if they are hidden deep in fabric fibers.

What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs?

You need to ensure the following temperature guidelines for washing and drying clothes to effectively kill bed bugs:

Washing Temperature: 

The water should be at least 120°F (49°C) to kill bed bugs and their eggs effectively. 

Drying Temperature: 

The dryer should reach a minimum of 130°F (54°C) to ensure all bed bugs are eliminated. Drying for 30 minutes on high heat is ideal.

Additional Measures to Prevent Bed Bug Infestation

There are additional steps you should take to prevent further infestation while washing and drying clothes as it’s an essential part of eliminating bed bugs,:

1. Inspect and Treat Your Entire Home

Bed bugs are not limited to clothing. They can hide in cracks, furniture, and mattresses. Ensure to check all areas where bed bugs might hide, including:

  • Mattresses and furniture: Check seams, cracks, and crevices for signs of bed bugs.
  • Carpets and rugs: Use a vacuum to clean floors and areas where bed bugs may be hiding.

Thorough inspection of furniture and cracks in the home to identify and treat bed bug infestations.

2. Use Bed Bug-Proof Laundry Bags

Before transporting clothes to the washing machine, place them in bed bug-proof laundry bags. These bags prevent any bed bugs from spreading while you move your clothes to the laundromat or washing machine.

Bed bug-proof laundry bags used to safely transport clothes and prevent the spread of bed bugs.

3. Steam Clean Furniture and Mattresses

In addition to washing your clothes, steam cleaning your furniture and mattresses at high temperatures can help eliminate any hidden bed bugs that are difficult to reach through regular cleaning.

Steam cleaning furniture and mattresses to eliminate bed bugs and other pests using high-temperature steam.

4. Seek Professional Help

It may be necessary to hire a professional pest control company if the infestation is severe. They can provide targeted treatments, such as heat treatments or insecticides, to eradicate bed bugs from your home.

Professional pest control expert inspecting and treating a home for bed bugs using advanced tools and techniques.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs in the Future

The key to preventing bed bug infestations in the future is alertness. Below are some tips to keep your home safe:

  • Inspect second-hand furniture before bringing it into your home.
  • To catch any potential issues early, wash bedding and clothing regularly. 
  • Seal cracks and crevices in walls and furniture where bed bugs can hide.
  • To catch an infestation, monitor for signs of bed bugs before it becomes too broad.
  • When traveling, check hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs and keep your luggage off the floor.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation, act immediately! Wash your clothes in hot water, inspect your home, and contact a pest control professional to stop the spread!

The Final Thoughts 

The best way for killing bed bugs is washing clothes in hot water and drying them on high heat. The essential components of bed bug eradication are vacuuming, steaming, treating furniture, and calling a pest control professional. By combining these methods, you’ll be able to eliminate bed bugs from your home for good.

FAQs

Does washing clothes alone get rid of bed bugs?

Yes, washing clothes in hot water can kill bed bugs, but it’s not a complete solution to an infestation. To eliminate them completely in addition to washing your clothes, such as furniture, mattresses, and floors, you will need to treat other areas of your home.

Will a 40-degree wash kill bed bugs? 

Killing bed bugs and their eggs completely, washing clothes at 40°C may not be enough. While washing clothes and other fabrics in hot water can help reduce their population, temperatures need to be higher to be effective. It’s recommended to wash fabrics at 60°C or higher to kill bed bugs and their eggs. 

Do bed bugs survive in the washing machine?

If the water is not too hot, bed bugs can survive in a washing machine. Usually, they can survive at 60°C. However, washing with hot water will kill them. To kill remaining bed bugs, it’s also advised to dry clothes on a high heat setting after washing.

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