Does Washing Kill Bed Bugs in Clothing

Does Washing Kill Bed Bugs in Clothing?

Yes, it is certainly possible to kill bed bugs. The methods depend heavily on how consistent and how persevering you are. Bed bugs are not very heat resistant thus heating clothes at a high temperature can kill them.

If you have bed bugs you need to get rid of, please do not hesitate to contact the professionals from Bed Bug Control Burlington for affordable and high-quality bed bug extermination!

Most experts agree that washing your bed-bug-infested clothes at a constant temperature of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit and maintaining that same temperature when drying can be an effective method in killing and ridding them from your clothes. Duration varies between 20 minutes to one hour although you might want to err on the side of an hour to be sure. Make sure you properly sort your infested clothes and separate them in a plastic bag. Put the mouth deep in the washing machine before opening it to release the clothes. Put the plastic bag in a second plastic bag, seal and dispose of it safely.

bed bugs in clothes
                            Bed bugs are very difficult insects to get rid of and can only be truly defeated using heat!

Thick fabrics such as cushions, pillows, draperies and bedding may be more difficult to treat because the thickness may not allow the heat to penetrate all layers. Consider using the maximum heat allowable for these fabrics and for a longer time or opt for a dry cleaner.

Dry cleaning also works for killing bed bugs in case you have delicate fabrics that cannot withstand high temperatures. It is safe that you inform the dry cleaner that your clothes are infested so that they can take appropriate measures to prevent spreading.

Be careful while transporting infested clothing to the dry cleaners. Use a bedbug-proof laundry bag or double plastic bags with the mouth tightly sealed. Dispose of the used bags carefully.

Apart from washing and drying in high heat, there are a few other things you can do to get rid of bed bugs in clothing. You can try bed bug laundry treatment and detergents designed for use in your washing machine. Look out for products with natural ingredients and safe for fabrics since some of these treatments can be harsh on textiles and even humans. Unfortunately, many of these aren’t as harmless as advertised. You should be skeptical about bed bug treatments that claim you to wash with cold water.

An alternative heat treatment option is to put your clothes inside a black, sealed plastic bag and leave them outside on a hot day. There is actually heat treatment bags designed for this very purpose. These treatment bags come complete with a digital thermometer so you can check the heat has reached at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

All in all these methods are proven to be effective and results may vary depending on if all steps are followed through. The best way to proceed with this kind of situation is to proceed with caution, so contacting a pest control service might be your, if not only bet but your best one as well.

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult insects to get rid of and impossible to control on your own. To make sure you get a good night’s sleep, hire the licensed exterminators from Pest Control Burlington. We are dedicated technicians that specialize in household pests and have access to high-quality pesticides and equipment to get rid of bed bugs completely!