banner
Home / Blog / Bed sheets must be washed at 1 temperature to 'effectively' kill bed bugs for good - The Mirror US
Blog

Bed sheets must be washed at 1 temperature to 'effectively' kill bed bugs for good - The Mirror US

Jun 05, 2025Jun 05, 2025

Bed bugs are pesky insects that feast on the blood of animals and humans, often residing in our furniture or bedding. While their bites typically cause itchiness but no severe health issues, as per the NHS, it's still crucial to eliminate them upon detection.

Telltale signs of bed bug infestations include bite marks, bloodstains on your sheets, and small casings around your mattress.

A desperate plea for guidance was shared on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page when a member posted: "My daughter has come back from travelling and I think she's brought bed bugs back."

The troubled parent continued: "I've continuously cleaned, wiped, vacuumed, and bought spray. Washed everything, but can't seem to get rid of them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated."

Read more

Brighten white towels with 4-ingredient solution - no bleach

Read more

Buckingham Palace cleaner's 10-minute trick for cleaning faucets with $1 product

Bed bugs are known for their rapid reproduction rate, presenting formidable pest control issues.

A lonesome female bed bug is capable of laying numerous eggs; under perfect conditions, their numbers may double alarmingly fast, sometimes within just a fortnight, reports the Express.

It's critical to tackle an infestation swiftly, and a good starting point includes laundering all bedding at high temperatures.

One response came from Anita Parker, who wrote: "I'm a pest control officer. Steaming is great if you want to use a natural method."

She also suggested, "You should wash everything at 60C (140F). Using baking soda is fine, but the strength of the ingredient will be lower than if you were to call a professional in.

"If you are steaming, move the nozzle slowly to ensure the steam kills the eggs. They look like small grains of clear rice with a tunnel in the middle."

Exposing bed bugs and their eggs to intense heat is a death sentence, as 60C is known to "effectively" wipe them out.

To really nix these pests, it's recommended to launder and dry garments at a high temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes.

In the midst of laundering your sheets and blankets, seize the moment to steam clean your mattress and give it a thorough vacuum.

Don't forget to inspect behind and beneath the mattress as well. After everything's fresh and dry, dress the bed once more and keep an eye out for any changes.