How to Wash Bedding That Contains Lice

Lice are small parasites that suck blood, and move and multiply quickly. They attach to the hair shaft and lay eggs, which can lead to a full-blow infestation. In order to control a lice outbreak in your home, one of the first steps you need to take after ridding the hair of lice is to wash the bedding that was exposed to lice. Pillows, blankets, sheets and comforters must be washed properly to not only kill the adult lice, but also the eggs.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry detergent

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Place the bedding in the washing machine. Set the machine to the hottest water temperature -- it should be a minimum of 130 degrees Fahrenheit -- and add laundry detergent to the machine.

   • 2

     Run the bedding through a complete wash cycle. Take the bedding out and place items that can be machine-dried in the dryer. Hang the other items over a drying rack or bannister to air-dry.

   • 3

     Run the bedding through a complete dry cycle using high heat. Dry the bedding for a minimum of 20 minutes.