Does washing clothes kill bed bugs?

Content Updated: March 3, 2026

Key takeaways

• Carefully sort and seal infested clothes in plastic bags before transporting them to avoid spreading bed bugs to other areas of your home or community.
• Washing clothes on the highest temperature setting (120°F or higher) for at least 30 minutes, followed by drying on high heat, is essential for effectively killing bed bugs and their eggs.
• Freezing infested items for a minimum of 4 days can also kill bed bugs, especially for delicate fabrics that cannot withstand high heat.
• While washing clothes can reduce the presence of bed bugs, it is not a complete solution for eliminating an infestation. Professional pest control is recommended for thorough treatment.

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How to wash bed bugs out of clothes

Alternative ways to get rid of bugs on clothing

How to treat the rest of your home for bed bugs

Technically, bed bugs are unlikely to live on the clothes you’re wearing, but they can quickly take up residence on items in a suitcase, and even what’s in your drawers or on your floor. You should always launder items after returning from a trip, but will washing clothes kill bed bugs or just reduce the population?

While washing clothes can remove the pest from individual items, it is not effective for total elimination. Anyone facing an infestation is urged to contact a pest control professional immediately for bed bug control.

How to wash bed bugs out of clothes

While it may not be the cure-all you hoped for, you may still want to make laundering part of the process to get ready for treatment. These pesky parasites are extremely difficult to deter, and can even survive on clothing for several months without feeding. However, washing clothes to kill bed bugs without caution can result in spreading the problem to another area of your home, so be sure not to cut corners.

Sort before transport

• Sort clothing in the infested area as you would any other laundry.
• Place each pile into individual plastic bags and seal tightly.
• Put dry-clean only clothing into a separate bag to be handled by a professional.

Wash your items on high heat

• If possible, dry your clothes on high heat before washing, as the eggs can be more resilient in the wash.
• Carefully tip the bags sorted for washing into the washing machine.
• Immediately place empty bags into new, clean bags, seal tightly, and then dispose of them in an outdoor trash can.
• Wash items on the highest temperature allowed by manufacturer instructions.
• Despite what you may have heard, there’s no such thing as a bed bug wash. There's no need to use bleach; simply use your everyday detergent.

Bed bugs are notoriously resilient, but studies show that exposure to temperatures of 120°F or higher for a minimum of 30 minutes can effectively kill bed bugs in clothes. Heat is an effective treatment because it penetrates fabric and other materials, reaching areas where bed bugs and their eggs might hide.

Dry your clothes on high heat

• Carefully and quickly, switch your laundry from the washing machine to the dryer.
• If possible, heat should exceed 120 degrees for 30 minutes to remove bed bugs and their eggs from the clothing.

While dry-clean-only items shouldn’t be washed, they may be able to be dried, though it’s advisable to consult a professional cleaner before attempting. It’s also worth noting that there’s a risk of infesting the establishment when infested items are brought in, so be sure to share all the information with the business ahead of time. Keep in mind that some establishments may not accept infested items and that they may need to be properly disposed of.

Store your clean clothing

• If doing laundry at a laundromat or in a shared facility such as an apartment complex or dormitory, remove items from the dryer, place them into new, clean plastic bags, and seal them. Do not remove the items until you have reached your home.
• If at home, remove each item from the dryer and fold right away.
• Place clean clothing into sealed plastic bags or bins until treatment. Only remove items as needed.

Alternative ways to get rid of bugs on clothing

Another method for killing bed bugs in clothes is freezing, which involves placing infested items in a freezer for at least 4 days at a temperature of 0°F . This method is particularly beneficial for delicate fabrics that could be damaged by high heat.

EPA-approved insecticides can also be used to kill bed bugs. While effective, these should be applied by professionals to ensure the safety of your family and pets. For a quicker solution to bed bug infestations, professional pest control services are often the fastest and most reliable option.

How to treat the rest of your home for bed bugs

When dealing with a bed bug infestation, treating just one room or area is often not enough. Bed bugs are notorious for their ability to hide and travel, making it easy for them to spread throughout your home. If you are dealing with a bed bug infestation, here are some more steps you can take:

• Remove clutter: Start by decluttering your home, especially in areas affected by the issue. This makes it harder for bed bugs to hide and allows for more thorough cleaning and treatment.
• Vacuum thoroughly: Vacuum your home, focusing on seams of mattresses, upholstered furniture, and any cracks and crevices in walls and floors. After vacuuming, seal the contents in a bag and dispose of it outside your home.
• Use bed bug encasements: Encase mattresses and box springs in bed bug-proof covers to trap any existing bugs and eggs, preventing them from escaping and feeding.
• Monitor with interceptors: Place bed bug interceptors under the legs of your bed and furniture. These traps help to catch any bugs that try to climb up and can provide insight into the level of infestation.

Whether you’re not sure how to get bed bugs out of clothes, you’re worried about infestation, or worse yet, spreading the problem, contact Terminix today. Our bed bug technicians conduct thorough inspections, deliver targeted treatments, and can create a comprehensive plan tailored to your specific situation. Don’t take matters into your own hands. Get a free bed bug inspection today.