Do I Need To Wash Hanging Clothes For Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a common household problem that can easily infest your clothes. If you hang your clothes for long periods, bed bugs can wait there and crawl onto you the moment you wear them. Hence, it is highly recommended to wash any hanging clothes before wearing them if you suspect bed bug infestation.

Washing your clothes in hot water (at least 120°F) and drying them at high heat can kill both adult bed bugs and their eggs. According to experts from the University of Kentucky, washing alone can reduce the number of live bed bugs on fabrics by more than 90%. However, some types of fabrics may not tolerate high temperatures, which could hinder complete elimination of bed bug infestations through washing.

In such cases where washing is not possible due to delicate fabrics or other reasons, dry cleaning may be a good alternative solution. The high temperature used during dry cleaning kills all stages of the bed bug life cycle. However, it's crucial to ensure that your dry cleaner has experience dealing with bed bug-infested items as they can spread these pests throughout their establishment unknowingly.

To sum up, incorporating washing of hanging clothes as part of an overall strategy for eliminating potential sources of bed bug infestations within your home is crucial. By using hot water (at least 120°F), detergent and dryer heat settings above 140°F-150°F (or higher), you'll significantly reduce any risk associated with these unwanted pests being present on your clothing - allowing for better peace-of-mind from potential health concerns related to contact with these insects!