Discovering bed bugs in your London home is bad enough, but finding them on your clothes can feel like a personal invasion. These tiny pests can hitch a ride on your favourite jumper or work trousers, spreading the infestation wherever you go. So, how to kill bed bugs on clothes? In this guide, we’ll share practical washing and drying tips to tackle bed bugs on your clothing, while highlighting why professional help from ThermoPest is the best way to ensure your home stays bug-free.
Bed bugs are small, blood-sucking insects that love to hide in dark, cozy spots—like the seams of your clothing. They don’t live on clothes the way fleas might, but they can use them as a temporary hideout or a way to travel from one place to another. In a busy city like London, where public transport and shared spaces are part of daily life, clothes can easily become a bed bug taxi.
Clothes left on the floor, stuffed in a suitcase, or hung near an infested bed are prime targets. Bed bugs are drawn to the scent of humans and can crawl onto fabrics during the night. Once there, they’re tough to spot, blending into folds and stitching.
Consider Emma, a London teacher who noticed itchy bites after a weekend trip. She soon realised her coat, left on a hotel bed, was crawling with bed bugs. Panicked, she turned to washing and drying techniques to save her wardrobe—a step that worked for her clothes but didn’t solve the bigger infestation at home.
Good news: you can kill bed bugs on clothes using everyday laundry methods. Heat is the key—bed bugs and their eggs can’t survive high temperatures. By washing and drying your clothes correctly, you can eliminate these pests without resorting to harsh chemicals.
Washing alone may not kill all bed bugs, but it’s a crucial first step. Hot water (at least 60°C) can weaken or kill some bugs and flush out eggs and debris. Here’s how to do it:
Always check care labels. Delicate fabrics like silk or wool may not withstand hot water. For these, consider dry cleaning or the drying method below.
Drying is where the real magic happens. Bed bugs die at temperatures above 49°C, and a tumble dryer can easily exceed this. Follow these steps:
If you don’t have a dryer, you can use a launderette’s high-heat dryers. Just transport clothes in sealed bags to avoid spreading bugs. For more on bed bug basics, check out the NHS bedbug guide.
While washing and drying can save your clothes, they won’t solve a full-blown infestation. Bed bugs hide in mattresses, furniture, and walls—places your washing machine can’t reach. Treating clothes is just one piece of the puzzle, and DIY efforts often fall short without addressing the source.
Even if your wardrobe is bug-free, untreated areas in your home can re-infest clean clothes in days. This is why Emma, our teacher, still needed professional help after laundering her coat.
For a lasting fix, trust the experts at ThermoPest. Our advanced heat treatment wipes out bed bugs at every life stage—eggs, nymphs, and adults—in a single visit. Unlike chemical sprays, our eco-friendly method penetrates deep into hiding spots, ensuring no bug is left behind. Curious? Learn more at our bed bug treatment page.
We know London’s bed bug problem inside out. Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment and offers a 60-day warranty for peace of mind. Plus, our heat treatment is safe for your home and lets you return the same day—no need to vacate for weeks.
Take James, a London renter who found bed bugs in his wardrobe. After washing his clothes, the bugs kept coming back. ThermoPest’s heat treatment cleared his flat in one go, and he’s been bug-free ever since.
Knowing how to kill bed bugs on clothes is a great start, but it’s not enough to win the war against these pests. Washing at 60°C and drying on high heat can save your wardrobe, but only professional treatment can protect your home. If bed bugs are disrupting your life in London, don’t wait—contact ThermoPest for a free consultation and reclaim your peace of mind.
For more information on bed bugs, visit the NHS bedbug guide. To explore our full range of services, head to our bed bug treatment page or ThermoPest main website.
