Can Bed Bugs Survive the Washing Machine?

Evidence‑Based Laundry and Cleaning for Bed Bugs

Done correctly, laundry and cleaning can meaningfully reduce bed bug numbers and help prevent spread. Done poorly, they move bugs from room to room and waste time. This guide explains what really works, where DIY methods fall short, and when whole‑room heat treatment is the reliable, science‑backed solution. As heat specialists, ThermoPest focuses on practical steps you can take now, plus how professional heat eradicates all life stages safely and quickly.

The problem in plain terms

Bed bugs hide in seams, screw holes, headboards, skirtings and luggage—well beyond bedding. Eggs are surprisingly resilient and often survive ordinary washing or quick vacuuming. That’s why outbreaks persist even in clean homes. We’ll help you target laundry properly and use cleaning to contain, not spread, the issue.

What people believe vs reality

• Belief: A hot wash once kills everything. Reality: Many cycles never keep the core of fabrics at lethal temperature long enough for eggs.
• Belief: A quick tumble dry is enough. Reality: Time only counts once the load is uniformly hot; big loads and dense fabrics heat slowly.
• Belief: Sprays solve it. Reality: Contact sprays miss hidden harbourages; eggs and resistant populations often survive.
• Belief: Meticulous cleaning cures infestations. Reality: Cleaning reduces numbers, but whole‑room heat is the consistent way to eliminate all life stages.

For a deeper primer on safe housekeeping steps that support treatment, see our cleaning guidance.

Science‑backed facts that matter

• Lethal heat: Adult bed bugs die rapidly around 50–56°C; eggs require the upper end and sustained exposure. Learn more in what temperature kills bed bugs.
• Contact vs penetration: Heat must reach inside seams, thick textiles and furniture joints; surface readings can be misleading.
• Moisture and load size: Wet, dense loads take longer to heat through. Overloading machines creates cool pockets where eggs survive.
• Re‑introduction: New bugs can arrive via luggage or visitors. Monitoring distinguishes a new introduction from an incomplete treatment.

Common mistakes that spread or preserve bed bugs

• Sorting laundry on the bed or floor. This dislodges bugs. Bag items at the source.
• Overloaded washers/dryers. Core temperatures are not reached; eggs survive. Run smaller loads.
• Inadequate drying time. The clock starts after the load is uniformly hot, not at cycle start.
• Using flammable DIY remedies (alcohol, kerosene). Dangerous and ineffective.
• Relying only on sprays or foggers. They don’t penetrate harbourages or reliably kill eggs.

Practical laundry steps you can do safely

1. Bag at the source: Place bedding and clothes directly into sturdy bags before moving them. Ideally use dissolvable laundry bags so items go straight into the machine without re‑exposure.
2. Wash hot: Use 60°C (or the hottest safe setting for the fabric). Choose long, hygiene/boil cycles for better heat penetration.
3. Dry for long enough: Tumble‑dry on high heat; run at least 30 minutes after the load is fully hot throughout. Large or dense items may need 60–90 minutes total.
4. Seal and store: After drying, place items in clean bags or lidded containers to prevent re‑infestation until the room is cleared.
5. Vacuum deliberately: Use crevice tools along bed frames, skirtings and furniture joints. Empty the vacuum immediately into an outdoor bin.
6. Mattress/box encasements: Fit quality encasements to trap any missed bugs and make future checks easier.

If you’re planning professional treatment, see preparing your home for treatment so laundry and housekeeping support eradication rather than scatter bugs.

Why laundry alone rarely finishes the job

Laundry treats removable fabrics, not the room itself. Bed bugs and eggs remain in bed frames, headboards, sofa frames, picture rails and sockets. These are classic cold spots where household methods fail to deliver consistent, sustained lethal heat.

Why heat treatment is the superior solution

• Cold spots eliminated: Professional systems move, mix and measure hot air to ensure even coverage into cracks and voids.
• Sustained lethal temperature: Rooms are held at 50–60°C for long enough to guarantee egg mortality, not just adults.
• Sensors and monitoring: Multiple calibrated probes and data logging verify that target temperatures are reached and maintained across the space.
• All life stages killed: Properly executed heat kills eggs, nymphs and adults in a single visit, avoiding chemical resistance issues.

Explore our bed bug heat treatment process for a step‑by‑step view of how rooms are heated, balanced and monitored. If you need a full service overview, see bed bug heat treatment, and for ongoing checks after clearance, here’s how to monitor your property after treatment.

ThermoPest heat expertise (domestic and commercial)

ThermoPest are specialist heat practitioners. In homes, we coordinate laundry, safe preparation and precise room heating to avoid re‑infestation. In businesses—especially hospitality and multi‑unit buildings—we deliver discreet commercial heat treatment for hotels and landlords, reducing downtime and preventing spread between rooms. For early signs and inspection basics, see how to check for bed bugs.

FAQ’S

Question: Can laundry alone eliminate a bed bug infestation?

Answer: Laundry significantly reduces bed bugs on fabrics, but it does not treat frames, voids and fixtures where eggs and nymphs hide. These cold spots rarely reach lethal temperatures with household methods. That’s why infestations often rebound after diligent washing. As a safe step, bag items at the source and wash at 60°C before sealing them clean; in professional practice we pair this with whole‑room heat for complete clearance.

Question: What temperature and timing should I use for washing and drying?

Answer: Aim for a 60°C wash (or the hottest fabric‑safe setting) and a high‑heat tumble dry. Time in the dryer should be at least 30 minutes after the load is uniformly hot; dense items may need 60–90 minutes. Eggs are more heat‑tolerant than adults, so sustained temperature is essential. In professional practice we verify heat penetration with sensors to avoid any surviving pockets.

Question: Is freezing a good alternative for delicate items?

Answer: Freezing can kill bed bugs, but domestic freezers are unreliable for this purpose because items must reach and stay at roughly −18 to −20°C for several days. Thick textiles insulate eggs, and opening the door resets progress. If you must freeze, bag items thinly and leave them undisturbed for 3–4 days. In professional practice, we prefer controlled heat because it is faster and easier to verify.

Question: How do I handle laundry without spreading bed bugs through the home?

Answer: Bag items in the affected room, seal tightly, and take them straight to the machine; avoid sorting on beds or floors. Use dissolvable bags if possible so items enter the wash without re‑exposure. After drying, store in clean, sealed containers until treatment is complete. In professional practice, this containment step prevents cross‑contamination between rooms.

Question: Why do bed bugs seem to come back after thorough cleaning?

Answer: It’s often either surviving eggs in cold spots or a re‑introduction via luggage, guests or neighbouring units. Cleaning reduces numbers but doesn’t hold lethal temperatures in voids and furniture joints where eggs persist. Use interceptors and visual checks to confirm activity over time. In professional practice, we combine verified heat treatment with post‑treatment monitoring to distinguish re‑introduction from incomplete clearance.