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Yes. Bed bugs can survive a typical washing-machine cycle, so washing alone is not a reliable way to kill them. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends putting bedding and clothing in a high-temperature dryer for 30 minutes; use heat only when the fabric can tolerate it.
Why washing alone may not kill bed bugs
A washer’s hot setting is not a guarantee that every item in a load receives a lethal temperature for long enough. The EPA says that “just washing will generally not kill bed bugs.” Its guidance instead recommends high-temperature drying for 30 minutes. EPA bed bug IPM guidance, updated March 30, 2026.
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University of Minnesota Extension says hot-water laundering and/or drying above 122°F for 20 minutes kills all bed bug life stages. That is its stated guidance, not proof that every washer or load reaches and maintains that temperature throughout. University of Minnesota Extension bed bug guidance, reviewed 2023.
How to handle potentially infested laundry
- Contain it before moving or sorting. Seal potentially infested items in a plastic bag until they can be treated. A bag helps contain bugs; it does not kill them.
- Load directly into the washer. At a laundromat, unpack clothes from the sealed bag directly into the washer rather than sorting them on a table.
- Wash and dry according to the fabric’s care limits. The EPA advises using the hottest temperature the fabric can withstand. For items that tolerate it, follow the EPA’s high-temperature dryer recommendation of 30 minutes. EPA laundromat guidance, December 2017.
- Treat the transport bag appropriately. If using a cloth laundry bag, wash and dry it with the clothes, as EPA advises. Keep treated items separate from untreated laundry.
At a shared laundry, bed bugs can hitchhike through the facility. Inspect shared baskets and tables, and avoid placing baskets on the floor or near seats, following the EPA laundromat guidance.
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What if an item cannot go in a hot dryer?
Check its care label and do not apply heat that could damage it. The guidance cited here does not establish a universal washer setting or a single alternative laundry method for every heat-sensitive item. Keep such belongings contained and ask a pest-management professional how to handle them as part of the treatment plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does laundry treatment get rid of an infestation?
No. Treating clothes and bedding can address bed bugs on those items, but it does not show that bugs elsewhere in the home are gone. Bed bugs may be in places beyond laundry, so the EPA recommends an integrated pest management approach; its do-it-yourself bed bug control guidance cautions that DIY methods may not eliminate an infestation entirely. Consider professional pest-control help for inspection and treatment. Do not use pesticides casually: use only products registered for bed bugs and follow the label directions.
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- Scent Free Formula: Chemical-free bed bug and lice treatment laundry wash leaves no stains or harsh smells. Keeps fabrics fresh while helping protect your household from pests
- Easy-To-Use Laundry Additive: Works in any washer with or without detergent. Add during wash cycle to help eliminate pests from clothes, bedding, and other washable fabrics
- Household & Commercial Strength: Trusted by families, hotels, dorms, shelters, and laundromats. A powerful yet natural solution for bed bug prevention and laundry pest control
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