7 Essential Tips on How to Clean Your House After Lice

Lice are tiny insects that can infest the scalp and cause itching, irritation, and other uncomfortable symptoms. While lice infestations are common and usually not serious, they can be a nuisance to deal with.

One of the most important things to do after discovering an infestation of lice is to clean your house thoroughly to prevent the lice from spreading or re-infesting.

In this article, we will provide you with seven essential tips on how to clean your house after lice to help get rid of these pesky pests for good.

Whether you or a family member has lice, it’s important to follow these steps to ensure that your home is lice-free and comfortable for everyone.

Quick Overview on How to Clean Your House After Lice

Here is a list of short steps on how do you clean your house after lice:

1. Wash all bedding and clothing in hot water.
2. Dry bedding and clothing on high heat.
3. Vacuum thoroughly.
4. Disinfect combs and brushes.
5. Clean stuffed animals and other soft toys.
6. Disinfect surfaces.
7. Avoid sharing personal items.

Tips 1: Wash all Bedding and Clothing in Hot Water

One of the first steps to take when cleaning your house after having lice is to wash all bedding and clothing in hot water. Lice can’t survive temperatures above 130 degrees Fahrenheit, so washing these items in hot water can effectively kill any remaining lice or eggs. 

It’s important to wash all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, as well as any clothing that may have come into contact with lice, such as hats, scarves, and jackets.

To wash bedding and clothing effectively, follow these tips:

• Use the hottest water setting on your washing machine: This will help to kill any remaining lice or eggs.
• Add a lice-killing shampoo or treatment to the wash: These products are specifically designed to kill lice and eggs and can be more effective than regular laundry detergent.
• Wash items separately: Don’t wash bedding and clothing with any other items, as this can spread lice or eggs to other items.
• Dry items on the highest heat setting: After washing, dry bedding and clothing on the highest heat setting to kill any remaining lice or eggs.

By following these steps, you can effectively kill any remaining lice or eggs and help to prevent a re-infestation of lice in your home.

Tips 2: Dry Bedding and Clothing on High Heat

After washing bedding and clothing in hot water, it’s important to dry these items on high heat to kill any remaining lice or eggs. High heat can effectively kill lice and eggs, making it an important step in the process of cleaning and disinfecting your house from lice.

To dry bedding and clothing effectively, follow these tips:

• Use the highest heat setting on your dryer: This will help to kill any remaining lice or eggs.
• Dry items separately: Don’t dry bedding and clothing with any other items, as this can spread lice or eggs to other items.
• Dry items for a full cycle: It’s important to dry items for the full cycle to ensure that they are completely dry and that any remaining lice or eggs are killed.

By following these steps, you can effectively kill any remaining lice or eggs and help to prevent a re-infestation of lice in your home. It’s also a good idea to inspect items after they have been dried to ensure that they are free of lice or eggs.

If you find any remaining lice or eggs, wash and dry the item again to ensure that it is completely free of lice.

Tips 3: Vacuum Thoroughly

Vacuuming is an important step in the process of cleaning your house after an infestation of lice. Lice can easily spread through carpets and upholstery, so it’s important to thoroughly vacuum these surfaces to remove any remaining lice or eggs.

To vacuum effectively, follow these tips:

• Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery: Be sure to vacuum all surfaces where lice may have come into contact, including carpets, rugs, and upholstery.
• Use a powerful vacuum: A powerful vacuum with strong suction can effectively remove lice and eggs from carpets and upholstery.
• Empty the vacuum bag after each use: It’s important to dispose of the vacuum bag after each use to prevent any lice or eggs from surviving.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove lice and eggs from carpets and upholstery and help to prevent a re-infestation of lice in your home. It’s also a good idea to inspect these surfaces after vacuuming to ensure that they are free of lice or eggs.

If you find any remaining lice or eggs, vacuum the area again to ensure that it is completely free of lice.

Tips 4: Disinfect Combs and Brushes

To prevent the spread of lice, it’s important to disinfect combs and brushes that may have come into contact with lice. Lice can easily spread through these personal grooming items, so it’s important to disinfect them to kill any remaining lice or eggs.

There are a few different methods you can use to disinfect combs and brushes:

• Soak in hot water: Place combs and brushes in a bowl of hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least five minutes to kill lice and eggs.
• Use a lice-killing shampoo or spray: These products are specifically designed to kill lice and eggs and can be used to disinfect combs and brushes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
• Boil combs and brushes: Place combs and brushes in a pot of boiling water for at least five minutes to kill lice and eggs.

By following these steps, you can effectively disinfect combs and brushes and help to prevent the spread of lice in your home. It’s also a good idea to regularly disinfect these items, even if you don’t have an active infestation of lice, to help prevent future infestations.

Tips 5: Clean Stuffed Animals and Other Soft Toys

If your child has any stuffed animals or other soft toys that may have come into contact with lice, it’s important to clean these items to prevent the spread of lice. Lice can easily spread through these items, so it’s important to take steps to kill any remaining lice or eggs.

To clean stuffed animals and other soft toys, follow these steps:

• Place items in a plastic bag: Put the stuffed animals and other soft toys in a plastic bag and seal it tightly.
• Leave the bag sealed for at least two weeks: Leave the bag sealed for at least two weeks to ensure that any lice or eggs are killed.
• Wash and dry items: After the two weeks have passed, wash and dry the stuffed animals and other soft toys according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to use hot water and the highest heat setting on the dryer to kill any remaining lice or eggs.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean stuffed animals and other soft toys and help to prevent the spread of lice in your home. It’s also a good idea to regularly wash and dry these items, even if you don’t have an active infestation of lice, to help prevent future infestations.

Tips 6: Disinfect Surfaces

To prevent the spread of lice, it’s important to disinfect surfaces that may have come into contact with lice. Lice can easily spread through surfaces such as countertops, tables, and doorknobs, so it’s important to clean these surfaces to kill any remaining lice or eggs.

There are a few different methods you can use to disinfect surfaces:

• Use a disinfectant spray or wipes: These products are specifically designed to kill germs and bacteria and can be used to disinfect surfaces. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
• Use a mixture of water and bleach: Mix one part bleach with nine parts water to create a disinfecting solution. Use a cloth or sponge to apply the solution to surfaces and let it sit for at least five minutes before wiping it away.
• Use vinegar: Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can be used to kill lice and eggs. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and use it to clean surfaces.

By following these steps, you can effectively disinfect surfaces and help to prevent the spread of lice in your home. It’s also a good idea to regularly disinfect these surfaces, even if you don’t have an active infestation of lice, to help prevent future infestations.

Tips 7: Avoid Sharing Personal Items

To prevent the spread of lice, it’s important to avoid sharing personal items such as hats, brushes, and towels with others. Lice can easily spread through these items, so it’s important to keep them separate to prevent the spread of lice.

It’s also a good idea to avoid close contact with people who have lice until they have been treated. This can help to prevent the spread of lice to others.

Here are some additional tips for preventing the spread of lice through personal items:

• Store personal items separately: Keep hats, brushes, and other personal items in separate containers or bags to prevent the spread of lice.
• Use lice-prevention products: There are several products available that are designed to prevent the spread of lice through personal items. These products can be sprayed on hats, brushes, and other items to create a protective barrier against lice.
• Regularly clean and disinfect personal items: Regularly wash and disinfect hats, brushes, and other personal items to prevent the spread of lice.

By following these steps, you can help to prevent the spread of lice through personal items and protect yourself and others from lice infestations.

Conclusion:

Overall, the seven essential tips on how to clean your house after lice can help you get rid of lice infestations in your home quickly and efficiently.

Taking the time to properly wash furniture, bedding, and clothing, vacuum carpets, and upholstered furniture, and use pesticides when necessary will help you eradicate lice from your home.

Following these tips can ensure that your home is free from lice and you can go back to living life as normal.