How to Treat Laundry For Bed Bug Preparation
How to Treat Laundry During the Bed Bug Prep Process
One of the most important steps to bed bug preparation is proper laundry treatment. Bed bugs are a persistent and challenging pest to eliminate. Both the grown insect and their eggs can easily cling to clothing, linens, and fabric, making it essential to treat these items thoroughly.
As such, learning how to properly handle your laundry can make a significant difference in your treatment's success. Schedule a consultation with Nicole today for a detailed plan on laundry treatment!
What You Need for Treating Laundry
To effectively treat your laundry during the bed bug prep process, you will need the following items:
Heavy-duty plastic bags
Laundry detergent
A washing machine capable of hot water settings
A dryer with high heat settings
Lint roller (optional)
Vacuum cleaner with attachments (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide for Treating Laundry
Step 1: Sort Your Laundry
Begin by sorting your laundry into categories, such as bedding, clothing, and towels. Separate any items that are delicate or sensitive to heat, as they may require a gentler cleaning method. Always keep your infested laundry sealed in heavy-duty plastic bags until it’s time to wash.
Step 2: Transfer Laundry in Sealed Bags
Avoid shaking out or carrying laundry without proper containment. When you’re ready to start the washing process, carefully transfer the sealed bags of laundry to the washing machine. This helps contain the bed bugs and their eggs and prevents spreading them around your home.
Step 3: Wash on the Highest Heat Setting
To kill bed bugs, it’s essential to wash your laundry on the highest possible heat setting that’s safe for your fabrics. We recommend using hot water (at least 120°F) and a standard laundry detergent to remove bed bugs, eggs, and any remaining residue.
Step 4: Dry on High Heat
Immediately transfer the washed items into the dryer. Set the dryer to the highest heat setting and run the cycle for at least 30 minutes. The heat will kill any bed bugs that may have survived the wash. For more delicate items, consider running them through a drying cycle, then washing them on a delicate cycle after.
Step 5: Use a Lint Roller for Delicate Fabrics
For delicate fabrics that cannot withstand high heat, use a lint roller to manually remove bed bugs from the surface before washing. This adds an extra layer of protection.
Step 6: Store Clean Laundry in Fresh Plastic Bags
Once your laundry has been treated and dried, store the clean items in fresh, seal-tight plastic bags until your home is fully treated. This prevents re-infestation and keeps your clean laundry bed bug-free.
Step 7: Vacuum and Clean Laundry Area
After handling the laundry, vacuum the laundry area, paying special attention to crevices where bed bugs might hide. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately outside of your home.
How Advanced Bed Bug Preparation Can Help with Treating Laundry!
Treating laundry during the bed bug prep process is a critical part of eliminating an infestation, but it can also be time-consuming and overwhelming. At Advanced Bed Bug Preparation, we offer specialized services to help you handle this step of the preparation process in just one business day. We are fully insured and trained to ensure thorough bed bug preparation. This includes professional laundry treatment, ensuring your home and belongings are properly treated for a successful removal.
We proudly assist customers in Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan. With our help, you can rest assured that every step of the bed bug preparation process, including laundry treatment, is done correctly for the best possible outcome. See examples of our bed bug preparation work in our gallery here.
