Guide: How to clean your house after a lice infestation
We totally get it: As a parent (or caregiver of course), the thought of a lice infestation can be overwhelming. When my daughter came home with that dreaded eek, there’s been a lice infection note from the school nurses, you better believe I immediately sat her down for a dreaded lice inspection. What might have been the most daunting though - because spoiler, lice spread to a few household members! - was after getting each family member situated, it was time to turn attention to a deep clean of our house.
But the biggest light at the end of the lice tunnel was this: it was and is possible to do an effective home cleaning yourself. To help, we're sharing 10 easy steps below that will rid your home of remaining lice (and you of remaining worries).
How to clean house after lice, 10 practical steps:
Step 1: Treat the infested person first
Before you begin cleaning your house, an essential first step is to treat the infested family member. Consult with a healthcare provider or a pharmacist, and they may advise you on a suitable chemical or over-the-counter treatment to eliminate the live lice on the infested person's head.
Step 2: Wash all bedding
Remove all bed linens, including sheets, pillow cases, comforters, and even mattress covers or mattress pads. Wash them in hot water of 130oF and run them through the dryer at the highest high heat drying cycle for at least thirty minutes.
Step 3: Wash all clothing
Place all washable items in the washing machine with hot water at 130F, and run them through the dryer at the highest setting for at least thirty minutes. For clothes that can go thru a machine wash, consider dropping them at the dry cleaner.
Step 4: Stuffed animals and toys
Place stuffed animals, toys, and other washable possessions or personal items in hot water of 130 degrees F, run them through the dryer at the highest setting for at least thirty minutes. Another option is to place them in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks to suffocate them so the lice die. I bought a mesh bag - similar to the ones you might use for delicates! - to put my daughter's favorite stuffed animal in, and keep him safe from any harm during the hot water cycle or high heat drying cycle (both important elements to kicking our any leftover lice!).
Looking for free fun? Here’s a list of:
Step 5: Vacuum all carpeted areas
Vacuum carpets thoroughly, focusing on areas where they frequently spend time sitting or lying down. When complete, take the vacuum bag from the vacuum cleaner and dump it directly to your trash bins outside to avoid spreading lice further in the house.
Step 6: Clean hard surfaces
Wipe down all hard surfaces in the infested person's room, such as dressers, nightstands, and desks, with a suitable cleaner. This includes the top, underneath and even the drawers of the furniture.
Step 7: Inspect and clean car seats
Thoroughly vacuum and wipe down your car seats - even if you have leather seats! - if the infested person has spent time in the car. Or take your vehicle over to an interior car wash for a full clean.
Step 8: Sanitize brushes and hair ties
Boil brushes, combs, and hair ties in water for at least ten minutes or use a medicated lice treatment spray on them.
Step 9: Screen other family members
Check all other members of your family for live lice. If you find any, treat them as instructed, and follow the same cleaning steps.
Step 10: Continue to monitor
Keep monitoring your family members for signs of lice and nits in the hair. Check every few days for two weeks, and follow the same cleaning steps if necessary.
Ready to get your clean on? Here’s our:
But wait, are there professional lice removal services out there?
Short answer: Yes, there are disease control-type services for lice removal. Two notable options to consider are Lice Doctors and Lice Clinics of America, both offering services across the United States. While we can't speak to pricing, know they'll offer that professional peace of mind to help your home get back to normal.
A quick guide how to rid hair of lice:
When dealing with a lice infestation, it's crucial to give special attention to the hair of the infested person and other family members. Lice primarily reside in human hair, so thorough cleaning and treatment are necessary to eliminate them completely. In this section, we will discuss some essential steps for cleaning and treating hair to ensure a lice-free home.
Step 1: Remove hair accessories
Before starting any hair treatment, remove all hair accessories such as hair bands, clips, and bows. These items can harbor lice or their eggs, so it's crucial to clean them separately. Soak the accessories in hot water or a lice treatment solution for at least 15 minutes, then rinse and dry them thoroughly.
Step 2: Thoroughly clean hair brushes and combs
Lice and nits can cling to hair brushes and combs, making them a potential source of reinfestation. To clean these items, remove all hair from the brushes and combs. Soak them in hot water mixed with a few drops of dish soap or lice treatment shampoo for at least 15 minutes. Then, use an old toothbrush to scrub away any remaining debris. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to air dry or use a hair dryer on high heat.
Step 3: Treat hair with a special shampoo
To eliminate lice from the hair, utilize a special lice treatment shampoo that contains active ingredients approved to kill lice. Follow the instructions provided with the shampoo carefully. Typically, the process involves thoroughly wetting the hair, applying the shampoo, lathering it well, and leaving it on for the recommended period. Then, rinse the hair thoroughly, making sure to remove all traces of the shampoo.
Step 4: Apply conditioner and comb hair
After rinsing the special shampoo, apply a generous amount of hair conditioner to the hair. The conditioner makes combing easier and helps to detangle the hair. Using a fine-toothed lice comb, section the hair and comb through each section, starting at the scalp and working your way to the ends. Wipe the comb on a damp paper towel after each pass to remove any lice or nits. Repeat this process for every section of the hair. Another option is to cover hair in olive oil for 6-8 hours to suffocate the live lice.
Step 5: Repeat treatment as directed
Depending on the specific lice treatment shampoo used, it may be necessary to repeat the treatment after a certain period. This is typically done to ensure any newly hatched lice are eliminated. Follow the instructions provided with the shampoo and repeat the treatment as directed.
