Does the Washing Machine Kill Bed Bugs?
Finding bed bugs on clothing or bedding is unsettling, and many people head straight for the washing machine. While laundry can help reduce numbers on washable items, it rarely solves an infestation on its own. As heat-treatment specialists at ThermoPest, we want you to have clear, science-based guidance so you can act confidently and avoid wasting time or spreading the problem.
If you need a complete, room-wide solution, professional bed bug heat treatment remains the gold standard, but there are smart ways to use your washer and dryer safely and effectively as part of a wider plan.
What people believe vs reality
The beliefs
- “A hot wash kills everything.”
- “A quick spin or rinse stops them spreading.”
- “Detergent or bleach alone will do it.”
- “A short tumble on medium heat is enough for eggs.”
- “If clothes are clean, the infestation is gone.”
The reality
- Temperature and time both matter. Brief heat isn’t enough; bed bug eggs are especially resilient.
- Household machines often don’t keep items uniformly hot; thick loads create cold spots where bugs survive.
- Detergent helps wash away some bugs but does not guarantee lethal temperatures.
- Dryers work well only on high heat for long enough after items have reached full dryness.
- Laundry treats washable fabrics, not the bugs in beds, skirting, sockets and furniture joints.
Science-backed facts about laundry and bed bugs
- Temperature threshold: Adults and nymphs die quickly above roughly 50–55°C; eggs need higher and/or longer exposure. See our guide on what temperature kills bed bugs.
- Washing: A genuine 60°C cycle, maintained at temperature throughout, can kill bed bugs and many eggs, but machine variance and load size matter.
- Drying: High heat tumble drying is critical. Run at high heat for at least 30 minutes after items are fully dry to ensure heat penetrates seams and folds.
- Load size: Overloading traps moisture and creates cool pockets where eggs survive.
- Delicates: If they cannot be washed hot, a careful high-heat tumble (if fabric allows) is often more lethal than a lukewarm wash.
Common mistakes that keep bed bugs alive
- Transporting laundry uncovered through the home, seeding other rooms.
- Overloading the machine so heat cannot reach every layer.
- Using 40°C “quick” programmes that never reach or hold lethal temperatures.
- Stopping the dryer too soon—warm is not the same as lethal.
- Assuming clean laundry means the room is clear; untreated furniture and cracks re-infest items.
Practical, safe laundry steps that genuinely help
- Sort and bag at the source: Seal items in bags before moving them. Open bags directly into the machine to avoid dropping bugs.
- Choose heat wisely: Use a cycle that maintains 60°C where the fabric care label allows. If unsure, prioritise the tumble dryer on high heat (fabric permitting).
- Don’t overload: Smaller loads heat more evenly and dry faster.
- Dry long enough: After items are visibly dry, continue on high heat for at least 30 minutes to overcome cold spots in seams and folds.
- Seal clean items: Bag or box freshly dried items to prevent re-exposure until the room is professionally treated.
- Prepare for whole-home success: Use these steps alongside preparing your home for treatment so furniture and rooms can be heated effectively.
- After treatment, keep watch: Use interceptors and visual checks to monitor your property after treatment.
Why heat treatment is the superior solution
Washing and drying help with fabrics, but bed bugs hide in places laundry can’t reach—bed frames, headboards, sockets, skirtings and furniture joints. Professional heat treatment warms the entire room and its contents, not just textiles.
- Cold spots eliminated: Industrial heaters and air movement remove cool pockets in clutter and deep furniture.
- Sustained lethal temperature: Targeted hold times ensure eggs and adults are exposed long enough, not just briefly.
- Sensors and monitoring: We place multiple temperature sensors across the room, logging data so we can adjust air flow and verify lethal temps everywhere.
- All life stages killed: Properly delivered heat reaches eggs hidden in seams and screw-holes—something spot cleaning and DIY methods rarely achieve.
To understand exactly how we engineer success, see our bed bug heat treatment process. If you’re comparing approaches, we’re always happy to explain why whole-room heat consistently outperforms piecemeal chemicals and DIY attempts.
ThermoPest heat-treatment expertise
ThermoPest specialises in whole-property heat treatments for homes and businesses, combining careful preparation guidance with sensor-led temperature control and post-treatment monitoring advice. For a dependable, single-visit solution that complements good laundry practice, choose professional heat treatment. We also support landlords, hotels and housing providers with discreet programmes tailored to busy operations.