I know, I know. Your nice silk blouse or that wool sweater that cost a mortgage payment. The thought of high heat makes you wince. This is where the advice gets sneaky.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs and Their Eggs
For delicate fabrics, you can try a lower heat setting for a longer time. Or, better yet, pop them in the dryer on high for 10 minutes first, then switch to air-dry. The initial blast of heat kills the bugs before the fabric gets too cranky.
If you’re still nervous, bag the item and put it in the freezer for four days. It’s less dramatic, but it works. Just don’t forget it’s in there, or you’ll have a weird, frozen pajama party later.
The “What If I Don’t Have a Dryer” Blues
Okay, so you live in an apartment without a dryer, or you’re the proud owner of a clothesline. The struggle is real. Sunlight can help, but heat is the only guarantee.
You can try the “black plastic bag trick”—sealing clothes in a black bag and leaving it in direct sun for several hours on a 90°F day. It’s a gamble, like betting on a sunburn. The dryer is just faster and more reliable.
If you’re desperate, take your laundry to a laundromat. It feels weird, but paying $2.50 to nuke your clothes is cheaper than a fumigator. Plus, you get to watch the dryer spin and imagine the bugs’ final, chaotic journey.