{"id":2452,"date":"2022-10-05T14:07:51","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T14:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/?p=2452"},"modified":"2022-10-05T14:07:55","modified_gmt":"2022-10-05T14:07:55","slug":"does-dry-cleaning-kill-bed-bugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/does-dry-cleaning-kill-bed-bugs\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Dry Cleaning Kill Bed Bugs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Bed bugs are tiny, apple seed-sized insects that survive by feeding on animal or <a href=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/do-bed-bugs-smell-blood\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"368\">human blood<\/a>. Because they like human blood, your home is an attractive destination for them. One of the places where they nest is in your clothes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re in the middle of an infestation, it may be tempting to just burn the house down, with everything in it! But before you do that, maybe it&#8217;s better to clean everything first?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Does dry cleaning kill bed bugs?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, dry cleaning kills bed bugs, as does washing and drying on hot in a home washing machine. Here are the basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Dry cleaning kills bed bugs<\/li><li>The bugs can be killed by the chemicals or the high temperatures<\/li><li>Sometimes the eggs survive the dry cleaning process<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Noticing bed bugs can be challenging! These tiny vampires can live in your clothes while still getting the chance to feed on your blood once in a while.\u00a0If you find them, get rid of them before the infestation becomes too much to handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on for more on the effect of dry cleaning on bed bugs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does Dry Cleaning Kill Bed Bugs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/38966812_automatic-machine-and-equipment-for-carpet-washing-and-dry-cleaning-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2464\" width=\"795\" height=\"529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/38966812_automatic-machine-and-equipment-for-carpet-washing-and-dry-cleaning-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/38966812_automatic-machine-and-equipment-for-carpet-washing-and-dry-cleaning-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/38966812_automatic-machine-and-equipment-for-carpet-washing-and-dry-cleaning-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/38966812_automatic-machine-and-equipment-for-carpet-washing-and-dry-cleaning-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dry cleaning uses special chemicals instead of water combined with laundry detergent to remove stains from the clothes without affecting the stretch and shape of the clothes. This is why some delicate clothes are labeled &#8220;dry clean only.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>Dry cleaning uses special chemicals instead of water combined with laundry detergent.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what kills bed bugs during the cleaning procedure? Is it the dryer or the chemical used? The answer is both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A combination of chemical cleaners and heat can effectively kill bed bugs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding the dryer\u2019s part in killing bed bugs, the higher the temperature, the better the chances are of killing bed bugs. So, if you&#8217;re using a home dryer, ensure that the temperature is at 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and if you suspect there are eggs, 120 degrees Fahrenheit will suffice.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is essential to note that not all dryers can reach the mentioned temperatures, so you can use a small thermometer to check the machine&#8217;s temperature, or check the manual.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The chemical used in the dry cleaning process can also eliminate bed bugs. However, there are many solvents that laundromats use. The most common is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/earth-and-planetary-sciences\/perchloroethylene\" rel=\"noopener\">Perchloroethylene (PCE)<\/a>, that\u2019s excellent for oil-based dirt. The good thing with PCE is that it is non-toxic to humans but lethal to bed bugs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PCE is not suitable for the durability of your clothes. The chemical can cause your clothes to lose their original structure and color. Due to this reason, dry cleaning your clothing frequently is not a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Dry Cleaning Repel Bed Bugs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Depositphotos_331083384_L-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Depositphotos_331083384_L-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Depositphotos_331083384_L-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Depositphotos_331083384_L-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Depositphotos_331083384_L-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Depositphotos_331083384_L.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although dry cleaning kills bed bugs, it doesn\u2019t prevent them from infesting your clothes again once more eggs have hatched. This is because the chemical used in your laundromat for dry cleaning has no lingering effects on your clothes, so they won\u2019t ward off these bloodthirsty insects in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, dry cleaning your clothes frequently isn\u2019t ideal as the chemical reduces their lifespan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what else can you do to remove bugs from clothes?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Wash Clothes That Have Bed Bugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you begin washing clothes that you suspect of having bed bugs, there are certain things you will need. They include rubbing alcohol, trash bags, laundry detergent, a washing machine, and a dryer. With these tools, you will effectively kill bed bugs without reducing the quality of your clothes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you should sort out your clothes according to their colors, colorfast and non-color fast. If your clothes are non-color fast, then skip this step. For colorfast clothes, apply rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol does not eliminate the bed bugs&#8217; eggs, but kills the live ones.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second, sort the clothes according to their washing instructions on the label. This will preserve the color and quality of your clothes. You will use the trash bags to store your clothes before washing them in the machine. Keeping them in a trash bag prevents bed bugs from <a href=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/do-bed-bugs-follow-you-to-another-room\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"595\">crawling into another room<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, empty the clothes from the trash bags into the washing machine. Each emptied trash bag should be put in a clean trash bag and disposed of outside, as well. Next, you set the hottest temperature that your clothes can handle with regular detergent.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, dry the washed clothes at the hottest temperature that cannot spoil them. Dry the clothes for at least 30 minutes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Safeguards Against Bed Bugs to Take at The Dry Cleaners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you have eliminated the tiny nuisance bugs from your clothes, how can you ensure they are permanently gone?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you should be watchful of the place you go to dry clean your clothes. The truth is, <a href=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/can-you-get-bed-bugs-from-walking-in-someones-house\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"692\">you might have brought bed bugs into your home<\/a> from the local laundromat! It can happen in your <a href=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/can-you-get-bed-bugs-from-someone-riding-in-your-car\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"614\">Uber<\/a>, in your <a href=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/can-you-get-bed-bugs-from-a-movie-theater\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2342\">movie theater<\/a>, in your <a href=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/can-you-get-bed-bugs-from-renting-a-carpet-cleaner\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"734\">carpet cleaner<\/a>&#8230; and from your dry cleaner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> So, if you take your clothes to the laundromat, inspect the washing machines and folding areas for these little crawling insects. When it comes to these repulsive insects, you can never be too careful!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article has continually stated how heat is the biggest enemy of bed bugs but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bedbugs.umn.edu\/bed-bug-control-in-residences\/freezing\" rel=\"noopener\">freezing your clothes is effective too<\/a>. This tip is essential for clothes that cannot be dry cleaned at high temperatures\u2014for example, suede and silk, even your shoes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>Freezing your clothes is effective too.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, put the clothes in a plastic bag and place them inside your freezer. Then, adjust the temperature to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the clothes there for two days, and no bed bugs can survive such conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, it would help if you did not place your clothes on the laundromat surfaces. Instead, it would be best if you came with your basket or cart. In addition, do not fold your clothes at the laundromat.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is because the surface where you place your clothes for folding might have bed bugs. Instead, inspect your basket or cart and put your clean clothes there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, do the folding at home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do not have bed bugs, ensure you carry your dirty clothes in a cloth bag and wash it every time you do laundry. On the other hand, if you suspect bed bug infestation in your clothes, carry your clothes in a sealed plastic bag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sealing the plastic bag prevents the bed bugs from spreading to other places.\u00a0But note that bed <a href=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/can-bed-bugs-live-in-vacuum-sealed-bags\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"572\">bugs can survive in a sealed environment for up to a year<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although dry cleaning can eliminate bed bugs, it is not the silver bullet for ensuring bed bugs do not infest your clothes. If bed bugs are in your home, you should eliminate them from your home and then clothes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eliminating them from your home will ensure that when you dry clean your clothes, there will be no other instance of your clothes having bed bugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, don\u2019t let bed bugs ruin your fashion!\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bed bugs are tiny, apple seed-sized insects that survive by feeding on animal or human blood. Because they like human blood, your home is an attractive destination for them. One of the places where they nest is in your clothes.\u00a0 If you&#8217;re in the middle of an infestation, it may be tempting to just burn [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2462,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2452"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2452"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2452\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2473,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2452\/revisions\/2473"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}