One way people get bedbugs in their homes unknowingly is through the infested laundry at the Laundromat. If you patronize the dry cleaner frequently, this might be your worst nightmare.
Customers might bring these clothes for washing with the motive of getting rid of these pests. Sometimes, it could result from bugs sneaking in your dirty laundry at the cleaning house. Either way, bedbug infestation is something to watch for at a public place like the laundromat.
Want to get rid of these bedbugs “bugging” your laundromat? Take these precautions:
Ways to Keep Off Bedbugs at the Dry Cleaner’s
Now that you know bed bugs could be anywhere, it’s vital to take precautions when visiting the dry cleaner next. That said, there are different ways you can do this. Let’s discuss a few.
1. Stop placing your clothes on bare laundromat surfaces
When going for cleaning services, ensure you keep your clothes in your basket. While you do this, don’t sit this cart casually on the floor or other random surfaces. You can also adopt the practice of inspecting the laundry basket before dropping your fabrics in.
2. Sort your clothes in a plastic bag
Bring your clothes to the laundromat in a bag if you aren’t bug-infested. After which, you would wash alongside your laundry. On the other hand, if you have bugs, ensure you dump your clothing in sealed plastic bags. Drop them directly in on getting to the washer and ensure they’re well sorted from unaffected fabrics.
Afterward, dispose of plastic carefully as you would other infested items. And immediately the clothes are cleaned, take them from the dryer, place them into a new disposable bag, and seal them.
The rest of the action happens when you get home. This is where you visually check the clothes for the critters before taking them into your apartment.
3. Set Your Dryer to a Favorable Cycle
Once you’re done washing, move your clothes directly from the washing machine to the dryer. But one thing is crucial here. Set your dryer to a minimum of half an hour on the best heat cycle available. While you do that, ensure the temperature is compatible with your type of fabric. With a heat of around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you can be sure of exterminating the bugs.
4. Sprinkle Alcohol on Clothes
This is vital while you pack your infested clothing. Spray or rub alcohol on these fabrics upon sighting bedbugs. Although the alcohol will kill some pests on contact, it won’t eliminate the infestation entirely. Notwithstanding, you can adopt this measure before going ahead to bag the clothes.
An EPA-approved bedbug spray repellent would also serve a similar effect here.
5. Use a Cloth Steamer
Another viable option for delicate pieces of clothing is the cloth steamer. One that reaches a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit would suffice. While you’re at it, ensure you follow the machine’s instructions. Also, seal the fabrics’ surfaces to exterminate the bugs and their eggs. Once you’re done, dispose of the plastic bags used appropriately.
Remember that fighting off bugs at the laundromat is a cumulative individual action. But sometimes, you might need more than this. Contact a pest control company immediately when the bedbug infestation seems out of hand.
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