Bed bugs can hide in clothes and may be carried from one place to another on clothing or luggage. They do not normally stay on the body like lice, but garments kept near an affected bed can provide a temporary hiding place.
If clothing may be affected, contain it before moving it and follow the care label when laundering. Keep processed items separate from unchecked clothing to reduce the chance of spreading bed bugs between rooms.
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Can Bed Bugs Live in Clothes?
Bed bugs can hide in clothes and use clothing as a way to travel, but clothes are not usually their preferred long-term hiding place. They are more commonly found in sheltered areas close to where people sleep or rest, while garments, bags and luggage can act as temporary hiding or transport points.
Clothing is most relevant when it has been kept close to an affected bed, left in piles, packed into luggage or moved between rooms. This is why careful handling and containment matter when bed bugs may be present.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Clothes?
Bed bugs can get into clothes by crawling onto garments or belongings in an affected area. They do not jump or fly, but they can be transported in clothing, luggage, bags and other belongings.
This can happen after travel or when clothing is left close to an affected bed or piece of furniture. The practical risk is not that bed bugs live on the body like lice, but that a hidden bug can be carried with an item and introduced somewhere else.
Can Bed Bugs Survive a Washing Machine?
A normal wash cycle should not automatically be assumed to deal with bed bugs. For affected washable clothing and bedding, guidance recommends a hot wash at 60°C followed by tumble drying on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes.
Always check the garment care label before using high temperatures. Laundry is useful for affected washable items, but cleaning clothes does not by itself confirm that the room or property is free of bed bugs.
If you are unsure whether bed bugs are actually present in the room, our guide to signs of bed bugs explains what physical evidence to look for around beds and sleeping areas.
How to Handle Clothes if You Have Bed Bugs
Contain suspect clothing before carrying it through the property. Clothes and bedding can be placed in sealed bags in the affected room before being taken to the laundry area, helping reduce the chance of insects being moved through other parts of the property.
Keep laundered items separate from clothing that has not yet been dealt with. Avoid moving loose piles of clothes from room to room, and do not return cleaned items to the same unchecked storage area.
What to Do With Clothes That Cannot Be Hot Washed
Do not use a 60°C wash on clothing if the care label does not allow it. Keep heat-sensitive or delicate items contained and follow the garment care instructions rather than using temperatures that could damage the fabric.
Professional cleaning may be suitable for some delicate items. Keep these clothes separate from unchecked belongings until they have been handled appropriately.
Can Bed Bugs Spread Through Clothing?
Yes, bed bugs can be carried from one place to another in clothing and other belongings. Clothing is therefore more important as a transport route than as the bed bug's preferred permanent habitat.
Careful containment, laundering suitable items and keeping processed clothes separate can help reduce accidental movement between rooms. Laundry alone does not deal with bed bugs that may be hiding elsewhere in the property.
If bed bugs have been confirmed beyond the clothing itself, you can check professional bed bug treatment options, prices and availability through MyConstructor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bed bugs can be carried on clothing, but they do not normally live on the body like lice. Clothing is more likely to provide temporary shelter or transport after being in an area where bed bugs are present.
Yes, cleaned clothing can be exposed again if it is returned to an affected or unchecked area. Keep processed clothes separate from unchecked belongings until the surrounding storage area has also been considered.
Yes, bed bugs can be transported in luggage, bags and other belongings. This is why clothing and bags from an affected area should be handled carefully rather than moved loosely between rooms or properties.
Yes, keeping cleaned clothing separate helps reduce the chance of it being exposed again. Store processed items in a clean bag, box or other suitable location away from clothing that has not yet been handled.
Only use a 60°C wash if the garment care label allows it. Delicate or heat-sensitive items should be kept contained and handled according to their care instructions rather than being exposed to temperatures that could damage them.