The best temperature to wash your bedding to kill germs and bacteria – and avoid a bed bug infestation
BED BUGS on London’s public transport is ‘a real source of concern’, according to London Mayor Sadiq Khan after Paris’ infestation sees bed bugs crawling across seats on the Metro, trains, and buses, as well as piles of mattresses thrown onto the streets.
If the viral video of a suspicious-looking bug on the London Underground is anything to go by, the pesky critters could’ve hitched a ride home to the UK.
So how can you protect yourself and your home from a possible bed bug infestation? Well, it all starts with keeping your space squeaky clean and washing your bedding, clothes, and other fabrics properly.
Best temperature to wash bed sheets
Lowering the temperature you wash your clothes not only helps save on energy bills but also reduces carbon emissions.
30 degrees is great for a t-shirt you’ve worn for a day, but for bedsheets that you spend anywhere between 49 and 63 hours in a week, the temperature needs to be higher.
John Ryan By Design suggests: “When washing bedding you want to wash at 60 degrees on a long wash (for two hours plus) to make sure that any sweat, dander, dust or other nasties are killed and then removed.”
Best temperature to wash mattress topper
Mattress toppers are between the sheet and mattress and protect the mattress from any bodily fluids seeping through, as well as reducing wear and tear.
They can benefit from a wash every month too, to make sure that any sweat or dirt gets cleaned away.
The design experts added: “Mattress toppers often need to be washed at a lower temperature this is because they contain high loft fillings such as wool, soft polyester, or chipped foam.
“If you wash these at a high 60-degree temperature, it can cause them to shrink and warp.
“The best temperature to clean a mattress topper is 40 degrees on a short cycle with a low spin speed.
“This is because high washing machine spin speeds can cause the fibres to shift and move about within the topper.
“A shorter cycle reduces the potential for fibres to warp or shrink during the wash.”
How often should I wash my bedding?
It depends on how often you sleep in your bed! With different lifestyles and work regimes, some people may only spend part of their week at home.
But, as a rule of thumb, bedding should be washed every week – seven nights sleep.
If you’re stuck for time or in a rush, prioritise washing the sheet you lie on over the duvet, and if it’s a dry sunny day outside, place your duvet in direct light for it to get a good airing.
Signs you have bedbugs
According to the NHS, “bedbugs are small insects that often live on furniture or bedding. Their bites can be itchy, but do not usually cause other health problems”.
Bedbugs hide in many places – bed frames, mattresses, clothing, furniture, behind pictures, under loose wallpaper and behind skirting boards.
Look out for:
- Bites – often on skin exposed while sleeping, like the face, neck and arms
- Spots of blood on your bedding – from the bites or from squashing a bedbug
- Small brown spots on bedding or furniture (bedbug poo)
The NHS added: “On white skin, bedbug bites usually look red. On black or brown skin, they may look purple and may be harder to see.
“Some people have a reaction to the bites. They can be very itchy and there may be painful swelling.”
How to get rid of bedbugs
The NHS recommends contacting your local council or pest control service if you think you have bedbugs.
Bedbugs are very difficult to get rid of because they can be hard to find and may be resistant to some insecticides.
As well as washing bedding and clothing on a hot wash, you can tumble dry your sheets on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes afterwards.
Put all affected clothing and bedding in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for three to four days, and clean and vacuum regularly – bedbugs are found in both clean and dirty places, but regular cleaning will help you spot them early.
If you’re concerned about the bedbugs in Britain, check out this map that has all the latest areas affected by the infestation.