How to Kill Fleas on Clothes - Everything You Need to Know

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Fleas are a nuisance to have around, and they can make your pet’s life miserable. But what about the clothes that you have in your closet? How do fleas affect them?

Fleas on clothes can be disastrous because, while they don’t usually transmit diseases, they can produce an uncomfortable and strong itch. In addition, many people are allergic to flea bites, which can cause pus-filled blisters or other skin infections.

So, in this article, we’ll be going over some ways through which you can kill fleas on clothes. So, now, let’s get started.

How to Get Rid of Fleas From Clothes

To kill fleas on clothes, it’s best to follow some strict and effective laundry practices. So let’s have a look at them.

Use Bleach and Water in a Solution

Bleach kills adult fleas and their eggs, so it’s an effective flea-removal solution.

For starters, the flea-infested clothes that can survive bleach should be submerged in a solution of diluted bleach and water. In addition, chlorine bleach that’s diluted in 16 liters of water is advised for machine washing.

Run Your Washing Machine at Its Highest Setting

It’s critical to use the hottest water setting and longest wash cycle your washing machine allows. And if you have a tumble dryer, dry your clothes at a high temperature. If you don’t have one, use the longest spin cycle. Flea eggs and larvae can be killed using this procedure, so it’s a sure-fire way to get rid of fleas from clothes.

Make Use of Natural Insecticides and Other Disinfectants

Apply a natural insecticide that won’t irritate you but will keep the pests away. For example, citrus fruits contain limonene and linalool, which have been proven to be useful in repelling fleas.

However, avoid the direct contact of citrus flea sprays with animals or people, even if they’re natural. For this reason, they should only be applied to garments and in well-ventilated areas.

In addition, clothes that can’t be cleaned with bleach can be disinfected with pine oil, other phenolic disinfectants, or an antimicrobial laundry detergent. One cup of these can be added to a top-loading washing machine and 12 cups to a front-loading machine.

Can Fleas Bite Through Your Clothes?

Normally, fleas won’t be able to get through most types of clothes. However, if you’re wearing skintight fabrics, such as tights and stockings, fleas can bite through them. In fact, these thin fabrics make it easier for fleas to stay in contact with the skin; hence, they’ll keep biting you for a longer period.

It’s also worth noting that fleas can attach themselves to your clothing more easily than to your skin. So, for example, if you’re wearing durable jeans, they can hop on the fabric and slide through it all the way to any exposed skin to bite it.

In addition, if you have flea bites, it’s essential to stop yourself from scratching them. Scratching can worsen the situation and give rise to other bacterial infections. So, to soothe your itchy skin, use an anti-itch lotion and take antihistamines.

Easy Flea Control at Home

Adult fleas make up only 10% of fleas found in a home. The remaining 90% are in various stages of development, such as eggs and larvae.

A comprehensive home pest control program is necessary even if you use the methods outlined above to get rid of fleas from your clothes. The management of your living environment, eliminating existing populations, and preventing new flea infestations are all part of this process. The following are some viable options for achieving this goal:

Vacuum Daily

You should thoroughly vacuum your entire residence. This includes all rugs and carpets as well as particularly difficult-to-reach places such as behind and under furniture. Once you’ve vacuumed, you must seal the vacuum bags and throw them away outside the house.

Do Your Laundry Regularly

Towels, bedsheets, curtains, mattress coverings, blankets, and comforters, to name a few, should be washed and cleaned, and if necessary, dry cleaned or professionally treated, in addition to your clothes, as described above. Even bulky linen can be washed at laundries for extra cleaning power.

Use Pet Treatment

Dog spot treatments for fleas are an important part of integrated pest control, including fogger, powder, and spray applications.

Additionally, you should purchase a suitable flea comb with fine and dense teeth, which you should use to wash your pet when it’s bathing thoroughly. Repeat this process regularly because it’ll dramatically minimize the number of fleas on your pet and, consequently, in your residence.

Use Organic Flea Remedies

Flea eggs can be eliminated from carpets and rugs by using natural flea solutions. Diatomaceous earth and borax powders are some of the most effective ones. In addition, you can use baking soda, herbal flea spray, salt, lemon spray, and rosemary.

Use a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers should be placed in areas of the home where fleas are more likely to be found. Fleas need a humidity level of at least 50% to thrive. Therefore, we can guarantee their demise by reducing the humidity to less than 50%.

Take Care of Your Lawn and Yard

Even if you thoroughly clean your pets, your clothes, and your home, fleas will continue to remain in your yard and leap onto your pets the instant they leave the house. So, it’s important to spray your lawn with insecticides and maintain its trimming as a precautionary measure.

And since fleas are unable to withstand the extreme heat of the summer, look for high-moisture locations as well as shaded spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Lifespan of Fleas on Fabric?

Fleas can survive for up to 24 hours on clothing. This is because fleas feed on fresh blood, so they die when they don’t have a blood meal.

However, bear in mind that they can still bite you if they get close to your skin, which not only stings and itches but can also be harmful if you’re allergic to flea bites.

How Do You Remove Fleas From Items That Aren’t Machine Washable?

Add diatomaceous earth to your vacuum canister/bag. Next, vacuum all non-washable surfaces thoroughly. On the first day, repeat this three times. You can also directly apply diatomaceous earth to non-washable items, such as couches, rugs, chairs, mattresses, and so on.

Do Fleas Drown in Washing Machines?

Yes, but it can take up to 24 hours for these creatures to drown in water. As a result, you’ll need to apply soap to ensure that these pesky insects die. Furthermore, the machine’s high temperature and spinning settings ensure that your flea-infested items are clear of fleas.

Note that fleas and flea eggs will only be killed at a temperature of at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).

Does the Dryer Kill Fleas?

Yes. The high temperature used in dryers can kill fleas efficiently. However, it’s recommended to wash clothes first and then put them in the dryer.

What Happens if a Person Consumes Fleas?

Fleas can cause tapeworm infections when swallowed, especially in children. So, particularly in the event of a flea infestation, it’s critical to practice increased cleanliness. For example, children should wash their hands often, especially before eating.

How Do I Know That I Have Fleas in My Home?

You’ll notice certain signs on your pets, like scratching, red skin, and hair loss. You may also experience ankle bites. In addition, you can spot flea dirt, which is a dropping left around by fleas.

Where Does Fleas Reside in Homes?

Besides clothes, you can find fleas on pet fur, carpets, and rugs. In addition, because many pet owners allow their animals to sleep in their beds, many fleas and their eggs are commonly found in bedroom cracks, crevices, and other hiding spots. They also live in residences that once housed dogs and cats, classrooms at schools, and even hiking trails and woodland surroundings.

Final Thoughts

A flea problem might be difficult to get rid of if you have pets or live in an area plagued by outdoor fleas. Once inside your home, they can quickly infest your belongings, including your clothing and linen.

Fortunately, washing clothes is a flea treatment that can destroy adult fleas, flea pupae, flea larvae, and flea eggs, helping you keep the infestation under control. This is because fleas die fast from the high temperatures inside your washing machine.

However, to eliminate fleas from your house, prevent them from returning, and avoid those painful flea bites, you must employ an integrated home pest control strategy that includes preventative and active measures.