How to Wash Bedding After Head Lice

What temperature kills lice in bedding?

Head lice and their eggs (nits) on bedding are killed by exposure to temperatures above 130°F (54.4°C) for at least 5 minutes, or by washing in hot water (at least 130°F / 54°C) and then drying on high heat for at least 30–40 minutes. The heat is the critical factor, not the detergent. If your washing machine cannot reach 130°F, the dryer on high heat can still do the job if items are fully dried for at least 30 minutes after becoming dry to the touch.

Which bedding needs washing after head lice?

Focus on items that have come into contact with the infested person's head or hair in the 48 hours before treatment: pillowcases, sheets, blankets, comforters, and any sleepwear or soft toys kept on the bed. Head lice do not survive long off a human host—typically no more than 24–48 hours—so only recently used bedding needs attention. You do not need to wash every piece of fabric in the bedroom.

Step-by-step washing instructions

Strip the bed carefully. Avoid shaking bedding, which can scatter live lice or nits. Roll sheets inward and carry directly to the washing machine.
Check care labels. Most sheets and pillowcases are cotton or poly-cotton and can handle hot water. However, comforters or blankets may require cold or warm water. If an item cannot be washed in hot water, use the warmest setting allowed and then dry on high heat if safe.
Wash in hot water (at least 130°F / 54°C). Use a regular laundry detergent. The detergent alone does not kill lice; it is the heat that matters. If your water heater is set lower, run the wash cycle with hot water from the tap but know that the dryer step is essential.
Dry on high heat for at least 40 minutes. The dryer is the most reliable step. Lice and nits die when exposed to temperatures above 130°F for about 5 minutes, but the extra time ensures the entire load reaches lethal temperature. Dry until items are completely dry, then continue for 30–40 minutes on high.
Alternative for non-washable items: Place in a sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks, or run through a dryer on high heat for 40 minutes if the fabric can tolerate it.

Comparison of methods to clean bedding

Method	Time needed	Effectiveness	Best for
Hot water wash (≥130°F) + high heat dryer 40 min	About 1.5–2 hours total	Very effective; kills lice and nits	Washable sheets, pillowcases, cotton blankets
Warm water wash + high heat dryer 40 min	About 1.5–2 hours	Effective if dryer is hot and thorough	Items that cannot take hot water but can take heat
Dryer only (high heat 40 min)	40–50 minutes	Very effective; heat kills all stages	Pillows, non-washable blankets (if heat-safe)
Sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks	14 days	Effective; lice die without a host	Items that cannot be washed or dried

Do you need to dry clean or use special products?

No. Ordinary laundering with heat is enough. Lice are not resistant to heat, and pesticides or special lice-killing laundry additives are unnecessary and may irritate skin. If a comforter is labeled dry clean only, it can be dry cleaned, but the dry cleaning process does not reliably kill lice. Better to place it in a sealed bag for 2 weeks or, if the fabric allows, put it in a dryer on high heat for 40 minutes.

How to handle items you cannot wash right away

For large items, delicate fabrics, or when time is short, seal them in plastic bags for 14 days. Lice and nits die without a human blood meal within 24–48 hours, but the longer time ensures any eggs that might hatch and nymphs also die. Label the bag with the date. This method is simple, cost-free, and works for any season.

Practical tips to reduce effort and prevent reinfestation

Wash only the pillowcase used by the infested person if other bedding was not in contact with hair.
Use a mattress cover? Lice do not live on mattresses, but vacuuming the mattress surface can remove any stray hairs or nits.
Keep long hair tied back during the treatment period to reduce spread.
Repeat the washing routine after the final lice treatment application, as per product instructions.