How to Disinfect Furniture When Exposed to Head Lice
A lice infestation in the home is frightening. However, the life span of head lice off the scalp is short. Because of this short life span, disinfecting furniture exposed to head lice it not always necessary, but may make you feel better. Once the infected scalps are treated, a vacuum cleaner and disinfectant cleaner sanitizes your furnishings. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner with attachments
- Plastic bags with zipper seal
- Disinfectant phenol solution cleaner
- Cleaning cloths
Instructions
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Remove washable throw pillows from the furniture and wash them in hot water in the washing machine. Dry them in the dryer for at least 15 minutes on high heat.
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Place pillows you cannot wash in a washing machine in plastic bags. Seal them tightly. Keep them in there for two weeks until the lice die.
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Vacuum upholstered furniture. Go over all upholstered material with a vacuum attachment for cleaning furniture. Change the vacuum bag or empty and rinse out the dirt canister on a bagless vacuum cleaner.
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Clean leather and vinyl furniture by vacuuming the pieces with the brush attachment. Empty the dirt canister or change vacuum bags when you finish cleaning the furniture. Brush off the end of the attachment with a rag dampened with a disinfectant phenol solution cleaner.
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Dampen a cleaning cloth with a disinfectant phenol solution and water. Wiping down hard surfaces disinfects them. Many grocery or retail stores carry this cleaner.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful when wiping leather furniture with the cleaning solution, as it can dry out the material. Repeated vacuuming of the floors and furniture alone typically takes care of the lice.
Use white, distilled vinegar in place of a commercial disinfectant as a natural alternative.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
