Does Dry Cleaning Kill Bed Bugs?

overlay of dry cleaned clothes with a white cloth with bed bug image over it

Washing and drying clothes on high heat are effective ways to kill bed bugs. But what should you do with items that cannot go into the washing machine? That’s when dry cleaning comes to the rescue: The chemical solvents and the heat used in this process are both lethal to bed bugs. For that reason, dry cleaning is considered an effective way to kill bed bugs. 

Read to learn more about how dry cleaning can help you get rid of bed bugs and how to kill bed bugs on clothing items.

What is Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is an alternative cleaning process that does not include the use of water. Instead, an organic solvent is used to remove dirt and stains from fabrics that would be damaged by conventional laundering. After removing the solvent, the item is often subjected to a high-heat drying process to remove the remaining traces of the product and ensure bacteria is eliminated. 

A curious note: Dry cleaning is believed to have been discovered by accident. In 1825, in Paris, a servant accidentally spilled the contents of a lamp on a tablecloth. When it dried, the soil spots on the fabric had disappeared, and so dry cleaning was discovered.

How Does Dry Cleaning Kill Bed Bugs?

dry cleaned clothes hanging on a shop
Photo Credit: deepblue4you / Canva Pro / License

Dry cleaning is efficient in killing bed bugs because the process involves two methods that are lethal to them: 

  • The use of organic solvents: Dry cleaning typically uses perchloroethylene as a solvent agent, which is toxic to bed bugs.
  • The use of high temperatures: Adult bed bugs that are exposed to 118 F die within 20 minutes, and the eggs within 90 minutes. The dry cleaning process uses temperatures as high as 140 F to dry the clothes, successfully killing adult bed bugs and their eggs.

It is important to note, however, that although dry cleaning is an effective tool against bed bugs, it is not enough to get rid of a bed bug infestation. If you find bed bugs in your clothes, it is a strong indication that your home is also infested. 

In such cases, call a professional pest control company to address the situation. Depending on what treatment will be used in your home, preparations will differ:

  • For professional chemical treatment, you will need to wash the clothing items present in the infested area. If your closet is infested, for example, the hanging clothes will most likely need to be washed and dried on high heat.
  • For professional heat treatment, you won’t have to wash all of your clothes, but you will be asked to store them loosely in drawers or to organize the hanging clothes so the heat can circulate and kill the bed bugs on them.

Pro tip: Remember to always check with the company on how to prepare for the bed bug treatment.

How to Kill Bed Bugs on Clothes

Dry cleaning is a great method to kill bed bugs on delicate clothes and other items like wool blankets. However, for regular clothing, you don’t have to throw them away — you can simply wash the bed bugs out.

Here’s how you wash clothes with bed bugs at home using your washing machine and dryer:

  • Wash bedding or clothing items in hot water.
  • Dry washed items on the highest temperature setting for at least 30 minutes. 
  • Dry items that can’t be washed (like curtains, pillows, shoes, rugs, and stuffed animals) on high heat for at least 30 minutes.

The drying process will kill the adult bed bugs and also their eggs. Other home remedies to get rid of bed bugs on clothes and fabrics include: 

  • Steam: Steaming is another way to apply heat treatment to clothing, upholstered furniture, and other items that can’t go into the washing machine or the dryer.
  • Cold treatment: Seal infested items in a plastic bag and store it inside a freezer at 0 degrees F for three days.

Can You Get Bed Bugs From Dry Cleaners?

a single bed bug on a blanket fiber
Photo Credit: dblight / Canva Pro / License

It’s unlikely that you’ll get bed bugs from dry cleaners, as the dry cleaning process normally eliminates bed bugs. But there’s a caveat: It is possible to get bed bugs if the professionals in the facility are not careful enough and your items come in contact with infested items brought by other customers.

For that reason, when taking your clothes to a dry cleaning facility, disclose to the laundry services if the items are infested with bed bugs

Once they are aware of the bed bugs, they can take precautions to avoid spreading the infestation to other items and inspect your clothes carefully once they have been cleaned. Some may even steam the items after the cleaning process to ensure the bed bugs are gone.

FAQ About Dry Cleaning and Bed Bugs

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like on Clothes?

You can easily see adult bed bugs on clothes. They look like apple seeds in shape and color, although slightly smaller. Younger bed bugs, called nymphs, have a light-brown color. The eggs are very small and white. 

Another way you can tell bed bugs are in your clothes is by noticing the appearance of “rusty spots” or stains in the fabric seams.

How Can I Prevent Getting Bed Bugs From a Laundromat?

Bed bugs are experts in hitchhiking their way into our homes. To prevent bed bugs from getting into your clothes at a laundromat:

  • Transfer dirty clothes from a sealed plastic bag directly to the washing machine. If you use a cloth bag, throw it in the washing machine as well.
  • Take the clean laundry from the dryer directly to a bag and fold it at home.
  • Check tables, chairs, and laundry baskets before using them.

What if I Find a Bed Bug in a Laundromat?

If you’ve found bed bugs in a laundromat, catch one in a clear zip-top bag and notify the manager. Contact your local health department or Cooperative Extension for additional assistance or to identify the pest.

Find a Pro Near You

If you found bed bugs in your clothes, chances are you have an infestation going on in your house. These tricky pests love to hide and are hard to eliminate on your own. The good news is that you don’t have to: Pest Gnome is here to connect you with the best pros in your area. Contact a pest control pro today and see yourself free from bed bugs.

Main Image Credits:
Background: deepblue4you / Canva Pro / License
White Cloth: yokeetod / Canva Pro / License

Teresa Joaquim

Teresa is a creative writer who holds a Master's degree in Psychology. Despite being a nature lover, she is terrified of cockroaches. As a native of the tropics, she is used to dealing with mosquitoes, although they still manage to bother her. Her favorite things are art, music, and playing with her two cats.