How to Wash and Care for Laundry Infested With Bedbugs

1. Spray Clothes With Rubbing Alcohol

   Spray colorfast infested clothes with rubbing alcohol immediately upon identifying a bedbug infestation. The rubbing alcohol will kill live bedbugs on contact; however, it won't eliminate eggs or get rid of the infestation. For non-colorfast fabrics and items that must be dry cleaned, immediately place the clothes in a sealable plastic bag.

2. Separate Dry-Clean-Only Garments

   Items with care labels that state "dry clean only" should go into a separate pile, even if you don’t plan to take them to the dry cleaner for additional cleaning. These items cannot be washed, but they can usually be put into the dryer on high heat to help get rid of the bugs.

3. Sort Clothes Into Trash Bags

   Sort your clothes as you normally would before washing a load of laundry. Sort them in the infested area to prevent spreading the bedbugs into another area of your home. Place each sorted pile of clothing in a large trash bag, and seal it.

4. Set the Washing Machine

   If your washer doesn't have an automatic dispenser, add regular detergent (there’s no need for special detergent) to the drum of the washing machine. Select the hottest water temperature recommended for the fabrics and the correct cycle for the fabric types.

5. Transfer Clothes to the Washer

   Take the bags to the washing machine, and tip them over so the clothes carefully spill into the machine. Don’t roughly dump out the clothes because the bedbugs could become airborne. This is important in your home or a communal laundry room or laundromat. Dispose of the trash bag in an outside bin.

6. Select the Best Dryer Cycle

   When the washing cycle is complete, transfer the clothes from the washing machine to the dryer. Set the dryer to run for at least 30 minutes on the highest possible heat cycle that won't damage the fabric. Ideally, the heat should exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit to kill both the bugs and the eggs.

7. Fold Laundry

   Fold the clean, dry clothes on a table that has been inspected to ensure that it’s free from bedbugs. Properly store laundry.

Treating Stains on Laundry Infested With Bedbugs

Unfortunately, bedbugs can leave stains on your bedding and clothing. The stains, which are bedbug excrement, will look like little, dark rusty dots, and they'll likely be removed through the wash.

If you see stains, pretreat them with a few different methods. Blotting while rubbing away the spots with cold water can remove the stains. (Hot water will set the stains.) Further lift the stains by blotting hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) on the damp areas. Or use an enzyme-based fabric stain remover to pretreat and break down the stains before washing the laundry.

Repairs

Bedbugs can't bite through fabrics, so they won't rip your laundry. However, they do crawl through the tiniest of crevices and holes without causing damage to your clothing or bedding. The worst damage you'll see from bedbugs is the stains they leave behind.

Storing Laundry Infested With Bedbugs

After washing laundry infested with bedbugs, store the clothing. Use plastic containers or plastic bags for storage, as bedbugs can live inside cardboard boxes. Keep the clothing stored until you’re sure that the infestation has been eliminated. 

If you can't wash or dry clean some delicate fabrics and dry-clean-only clothes because they cannot withstand the high heat required in the dryer to kill bedbugs, store them in the freezer. Bedbugs can't survive freezing temperatures. However, the freezer needs to be set at a very low temperature—0 degrees or lower is ideal. The same cold treatment will work for silk garments, suede boots or shoes, lingerie, and beloved stuffed animals.. Most items must be left in the freezer for at least four days. This will ensure that the center of the item has reached zero degrees. Bulky items can take longer.

After removing the items from freezer storage, vacuum well to capture any debris, and dispose of the vacuum bag or dust cup contents in an outside bin.

How Often to Clean Laundry Infested With Bedbugs

Because it's the heat that kills the bedbugs, one high-temperature washing and drying per load of laundry should be enough to do the job. However, you'll need to monitor the bedbug situation for further infestations, as bedbugs hiding in mattress creases and cracks in walls and flooring can easily establish a new problem.

Tips for Washing Laundry Infested With Bedbugs

• Before and during the disinfection process, avoid leaving clothing directly on the floor because more bedbugs may hide in the fabric and drop to the floor.
• Use a bedbug spray repellent in conjunction with washing your infested laundry.
• If you’re unsure about how to clean the infested laundry, you can take it to a dry cleaner. However, be honest with the dry cleaner about the infestation to avoid spreading it to other patrons. 
• Instead of washing delicate clothing or pillows in a washer, use a clothes steamer that reaches a temperature between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow the instructions for the machine, and cover every surface of the fabric to kill the bugs and eggs. After steaming, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture any dead bugs. Empty the vacuum bag or dust container into a plastic bag, and dispose of it in an outside bin.