How to Wash Laundry Infested with Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the most stressful pests to deal with, and when they invade your home, your clothes and bedding may feel impossible to save. The good news is that laundry can be treated effectively—if you use the right method. Regular washing alone won’t kill bed bugs or their eggs. The secret is heat, both in the washer and especially in the dryer.

Why Heat Works

Bed bugs and their eggs die when exposed to temperatures above 50°C (122°F). This means that hot water washes and, more importantly, high heat drying cycles are your best tools to stop them. Detergent helps clean your laundry, but the heat is what eliminates the bugs.

Step-by-Step Laundry Instructions

1. Collect and Contain Start by gathering all clothes, bedding, and other washable items from the infested area. Place each load into a sealed plastic bag right away. This keeps the bugs from escaping and spreading to other parts of your home.

2. Transport Carefully Bring the sealed bags straight to your laundry area. Open them only when you’re ready to load the washer. Handle carefully so you don’t drop anything along the way.

3. Wash on Hot Wash the items using the hottest water temperature that the fabric can safely handle. Always check care labels before adjusting the settings.

4. Dry on High Heat Move the wet laundry directly into the dryer without leaving it sitting around. Dry on the hottest setting for at least 30 minutes. For severe infestations, add another 20 minutes to make sure the heat penetrates fully.

5. Treat Dry-Clean-Only Items Even if you can’t wash certain items, you can still place them in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes. Heat alone is enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs.

6. Post-Wash Containment Once the items are completely dry, place them into new, clean plastic bags or containers. Keep them sealed until the rest of your home has been treated so they don’t get re-infested.

7. Discard Used Bags Don’t reuse the original bags. Seal them tightly and place them inside another bag before disposing of them outdoors.

Important Considerations

1. Heat is key: Washing helps, but only heat kills both bugs and eggs.

2. Drying time matters: Always give your items at least 30 minutes on high heat.

3. Professional help: Laundry treatment helps protect your clothes and bedding, but it won’t eliminate an infestation hiding in walls, furniture, or carpets. A pest control professional may still be necessary.
   
   

Final Thoughts

Laundry doesn’t need to be a total loss if you discover bed bugs. With proper containment, washing, and most importantly high heat drying, you can save your clothes and bedding. Combine this with a full pest management plan, and you’ll be one step closer to getting your home back to normal.