Bed Bugs Washing Machine Temperature

The lowest top temperature was 43 c.

Bed bugs washing machine temperature. A sustained temperature of 120 degrees fahrenheit will kill all stages of the bed bug s lifecycle. The selection of hot or cold water laundry cycles may be dictated by. The rules for washing in the washing machine. The appropriate temperature for killing bed bugs using a washing machine is 140 f for a 30 minutes wash cycle.

These clothes usually can t stand the heat so heat treatment isn t possible. 1247 1281 1285 low temperature laundry cycles rely heavily on the presence of chlorine or oxygen activated bleach to reduce the levels of microbial contamination. This high temperature will kill all bed bugs and their eggs in your clothing. That s not exactly what you might expect if you re using the 60 c wash with the hope of keeping your laundry bacteria free.

The steamer temperature must reach between 160 and 180 degrees f. It is better to set 95 degrees. Fortunately for us bed bugs can also be killed using extremely low temperatures of zero fahrenheit or lower. Eight of the machines did not get to 60 degrees at all.

Washing will kill some of the bed bugs but it is the heat of drying that will kill any remaining bed bugs. However make sure you check the wash labels first to ensure it is ok to wash them at 60 degrees especially if your sheets aren t made of cotton. More on bed bugs. Washing should last at least 60 minutes.

With a few common sense practices you can easily disinfest clothes and ensure these items do not become bed bug hiding places as you remove bed bugs from the rest of your home. Most of the machines kept the water cooler than 50 c for the majority of the program. Key steps in washing clothes to control bed bugs. Carefully and quickly switch your laundry from the washing machine to the dryer.

Wash at a temperature of at least 60 degrees. These clothes include suede boots and shoes silk garments lingerie and unfortunately stuffed animals. It should be noted that if possible heat should exceed 120 degrees for 30 minutes in an effort to remove bed bugs and their eggs from this clothing. So ensure that you wash your clothes beddings and other washable infested items in the hottest water to kill bed bugs at all stages of development.

Follow the instructions for the machine and cover every surface of the fabric to kill the bugs and the eggs. Several studies have demonstrated that lower water temperatures of 71 f 77 f 22 c 25 c can reduce microbial contamination when the cycling of the washer the wash detergent and the amount of laundry additive are carefully monitored and controlled.