How to Wash Bed Bugs Out of Clothes, Bedding and Fabrics
Written by Jack Hayes
Last updated on February 11, 2026
On this page
Finding bed bugs is stressful. Your first instinct is to throw everything in the wash and hope it solves the problem. Sometimes that helps. Sometimes it doesn’t.
The truth is, washing can kill bed bugs, but only if it’s done the right way. Wrong temperatures, skipped steps, or rushed laundry can actually spread them further.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what washing really does, the exact settings that work, and how to handle clothes and fabrics without making the infestation worse.
Key Takeaways
◉ Washing kills some bed bugs, but dryer heat on high for long enough is what actually kills bugs and eggs, not the washer alone.
◉ Wrong laundry steps can spread bed bugs through hallways, laundry rooms, and clean spaces instead of containing them.
◉ Bed bug eggs often survive the wash, which is why infestations seem to disappear briefly and then come back.
◉ Items that can’t handle high dryer heat need alternative treatment, not guessing or gentle washing.
◉ Laundry reduces bed bug activity but doesn’t eliminate an infestation. Lasting control requires treating mattresses, furniture, and hiding spots beyond fabrics.
Does Washing Really Kill Bed Bugs and Their Eggs?
Yes, washing can kill bed bugs, but it’s not the washer that does most of the work. Heat does.
Bed bugs and their eggs die when exposed to high, sustained temperatures. Cold water alone won’t reliably kill them, and gentle cycles often leave eggs behind.
Why this matters: many people wash items and feel relief, only to see bugs return days later. The process worked halfway, but not fully.
Key point: washing helps, but drying correctly is what finishes the job.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs in the Washer and Dryer
Heat is non-negotiable when dealing with bed bugs.
What works:
- ◉ Washer: hot water (at least 120°F / 49°C)
- ◉ Dryer: high heat for 30 minutes or longer
Note: many home washers don’t consistently reach or maintain 120°F, which is why dryer heat is always required.
What doesn’t:
- ◉ Cold or warm washes
- ◉ Air drying
- ◉ Short or low-heat dryer cycles
Why this matters: bed bug eggs are tougher than adults. They often survive the wash but cannot survive sustained dryer heat.
Simple rule: if an item can’t go in a hot dryer, washing alone isn’t enough.
Why Washing Feels Like It Works (Then Bed Bugs Come Back)
This is how it usually starts.
A homeowner finds bed bugs and goes straight into cleanup mode. Sheets, clothes, blankets—everything goes into the washer. They run multiple loads. They dry items. They bag clean laundry. By the end of the day, it feels like progress.
That night, there are no bites. No bugs in sight. Relief sets in.
A few days later, the bites are back.
That’s when they call us, confused and frustrated, because they did exactly what they were supposed to do. They washed everything.
When we inspect situations like this, the problem isn’t effort. It’s that washing alone doesn’t reach the whole infestation. Some eggs survive if items don’t stay in high dryer heat long enough. Other bugs never go near the laundry at all. They stay hidden in mattress seams, bed frames, couches, or nearby furniture.
Once the clean clothes come back into the room, the remaining bugs crawl right back into them.
That’s why washing often creates false confidence. It reduces the number of bugs you see, but it doesn’t remove the source. Bed bugs don’t live only in clothes and bedding. They live where washing can’t reach.
Laundry works best as one part of the process. When it’s done correctly and combined with treating the hiding places, that’s when the problem actually starts to go away.
Step-by-Step: How to Wash Bed Bug–Infested Items Safely
Doing laundry the wrong way can spread bed bugs through your home. Order matters.
Bagging Items Before Washing
Before anything moves:
- ◉ Place infested clothes or bedding into sealed plastic bags
- ◉ Carry bags directly to the washer
- ◉ Empty items into the washer without shaking them
- ◉ Seal and discard the empty bag immediately
Why this matters: loose bed bugs can drop off in hallways, bedrooms, or laundry rooms.
Washing Settings That Actually Work
Never mix bleach with ammonia-based cleaners. This can create dangerous fumes and should be avoided.
Set your washer to:
- ◉ Hot water
- ◉ Longest cycle available
- ◉ Regular detergent (special additives aren’t required)
Why this matters: agitation helps, but temperature is what weakens bed bugs before drying.
Drying Time That Ensures Bed Bugs Are Dead
Drying is the most important step.
- ◉ Use high heat
- ◉ Run for at least 30 minutes after items are fully dry
- ◉ Don’t overload the dryer
Note: Run on high heat for at least 30 minutes total, ensuring items are hot all the way through
Why this matters: dryer heat is what kills remaining bugs and eggs. Skipping or shortening this step is one of the most common reasons infestations continue.
Quick check: if the item is hot to the touch all the way through, the treatment likely worked.
Note: If using a shared laundry room, keep items sealed until directly inside the washer and dryer to avoid spreading bed bugs to or from other machines.
What Items Can and Can’t Be Washed for Bed Bugs
Most soft items can be treated with laundry. Some can’t, and guessing wrong can spread bugs.
Usually washable:
- ◉ Clothing, pajamas, socks
- ◉ Sheets, blankets, pillowcases
- ◉ Towels, washable curtains
Not safely washable:
- ◉ Shoes with glue or leather
- ◉ Delicate fabrics (silk, wool)
- ◉ Bags, backpacks, hats with structure
Why this matters: putting the wrong items in the washer can damage them and leave bed bugs alive.
Rule of thumb: if it can’t handle high heat in the dryer, it needs a different approach.
How to Handle Non-Washable Items (Shoes, Delicates, Bags)
Non-washables still need heat, just not water.
What works:
- ◉ Dryer-only treatment: high heat for 30 minutes (if the item tolerates heat)
- ◉ Sealed bag method: bag items tightly for several weeks or longer; effectiveness varies and isn’t guaranteed
- ◉ Heat chambers or steam for structured items
Why this matters: bed bugs hide deep in seams and layers. Spot cleaning won’t reach them.
Action step: when in doubt, use dryer heat without washing; it’s often safer and more effective.
Can Bed Bugs Survive in the Washing Machine?
They can, but usually only if the process is incomplete.
Here’s what happens:
- ◉ Some adults die during washing
- ◉ Eggs often survive the washer
- ◉ Bugs can survive cold or quick cycles
Why this matters: relying on the washer alone creates false confidence.
Bottom line: the washer helps, but the dryer on high heat is what kills bed bugs for good. If you skip or shorten drying, survivors can crawl right back into your home.
How to Prevent Spreading Bed Bugs During Laundry
Laundry can help or make things worse, depending on how it’s handled.
What to do:
- ◉ Bag infested items before moving them
- ◉ Carry sealed bags straight to the washer
- ◉ Empty bags directly into the machine without shaking
- ◉ Discard bags immediately in an outdoor trash bin
- ◉ Clean the washer and dryer lint trap after use
Why this matters: bed bugs fall off easily. One dropped bug can start the problem somewhere new.
Action step: treat laundry like a containment job. Slow, controlled movement prevents spread.
Why Washing Alone Won’t Eliminate a Bed Bug Infestation
Washing helps reduce bed bugs, but it doesn’t solve the infestation by itself.
Here’s why:
- ◉ Bed bugs live in mattresses, furniture, and wall cracks
- ◉ Eggs survive in places laundry never reaches
- ◉ Bugs return to clean clothes from untreated areas
Why this matters: people often wash everything, see fewer bugs, then relax, only to have them come back weeks later.
Example: Clean clothes placed back on an infested bed get re-exposed within hours.
Common mistake: placing freshly dried clothes back into infested rooms, closets, or dressers. Clean items should go into sealed bags or containers until the infestation is fully resolved.
Bottom line: laundry is a tool, not a cure.
When Professional Bed Bug Treatment Is Necessary
If bed bugs keep appearing after proper laundry, it’s time to think bigger.
Professional treatment is usually needed when:
- ◉ Bugs are seen beyond clothing or bedding
- ◉ Activity continues after repeated washing and drying
- ◉ Multiple rooms are involved
- ◉ You’re unsure where bugs are hiding
Why this matters: bed bugs are experts at hiding. Missing even one nesting area keeps the infestation alive.
What we see often at AgilePests: Homeowners do laundry perfectly, but the bugs are still in the mattress seams, furniture joints, or wall voids.
Next step: use laundry to reduce the spread, then address the source. That’s how bed bug problems actually end.
Share