How Long Do You Have to Dry Clothes to Kill Bed Bugs?

You can kill bed bugs by washing them, but this process takes time. Bedbugs can live for two months in warm temperatures, and a year in 50 degrees, so be prepared to wait a while before you can wash them again. If you do wash them, use any detergent you normally use to launder your clothes. Using the same detergent as you usually do can help kill any bugs present.

Depending on the size of the infestation, you might be able to eliminate the bugs by air drying your clothes. Otherwise, you can store them in plastic bags or containers. If you cannot wear the clothes, you can freeze them. These methods will kill bedbugs because they cannot survive in cold temperatures.

You can also dry your clothes by using high-temperature dryer settings. Depending on the size and type of clothes, a high-heat cycle should be sufficient to kill the bed bugs. Once you’ve done this, you can store the clothes in air-tight containers until they’re clean.

Besides drying the clothes, you can also use dryer sheets to kill bedbugs. Using dryer sheets to dry clothes will also freshen them. If you don’t have a high-heat dryer, try using a clothes dryer that reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures kill bedbugs and their eggs.

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