How to Wash Bedding That Contains Lice

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When children contract lice it can be difficult to keep up with all the laundry. There are so many items that need washed, especially the child's bedding. Knowing the right steps to take will help to eliminate lice and their eggs for good.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Bleach
Plastic bags, such as a kitchen garbage bag or utility bag
Laundry detergent

Step1

To prepare bedding for washing, take it outside your home and shake it out. This will get out any dirt, dust, and possibly loose lice. Leave bedding outside and return inside to prep the washing machine.

Step2

Turn the washing machine to its hottest water setting. Add bleach and any kind of washing detergant. Start the cycle, then go get the bedding. Place the bedding in the hot water and wash normally. If your child has a very bad case of lice, run the bedding in the hot water wash twice.

Step3

Take bedding out of the washing machine and place in the dryer. Make sure that the dryer is on the hottest setting. You may have to dry the bedding more than one time depending on the size of the bedding and how well it dries.

Step4

If your bedding is dry clean only, wrap all the items in plastic and seal tightly. Call your local dry cleaner and make sure they will clean it. Ask them what their procedure is for bringing the bedding in to them. Most dry cleaners will take the bedding and clean it, but they want to ensure their employees' safety, so they may want you to take certain precautions.

Tips & Warnings

The hot water kills the lice bugs and their eggs, so the hotter the water the quicker they will die.
If you cannot wash the bedding immediately, wrap the bedding in plastic and seal tightly. The lice will eventually die while wrapped up in the plastic, and this will also keep them from spreading to other people and items. Be sure to wash the bedding as soon as possible.