House lice are tiny insects that live in the cracks and crevices of furniture and bedding. They are a nuisance and can be difficult to get rid of, but it is possible to get rid of them with the right approach.
How to Clean Your House After Lice Tutorial
- Vacuum all floors, furniture and curtains to remove any lice or eggs
- Machine wash all bedding, clothing and towels in hot water (60°C) to kill any remaining lice
- Dry clean any items that can’t be washed in hot water such as stuffed animals or upholstered furniture
- Soak combs, brushes and other hair accessories in hot water (60°C) for at least 10 minutes to kill lice and eggs
- Use a fine-toothed comb to remove dead lice and eggs from the hair
Where Do Lice Hide in Your House
If you have lice, chances are good that they’re hiding in your hair. But where else might they be lurking? Here’s a look at some of the most common places:
Furniture: Lice love to hide in furniture, especially upholstered furniture like couches and chairs. They can also be found in beds, headboards, and pillows.
They can also hide in towels and bedding. Carpets and rugs: Lice may also be found in carpets and rugs, particularly those with thick pile or shaggy surfaces. Purses and bags: If you’ve been sharing your purse or bag with someone who has lice, there’s a chance the insects could have hitchhiked their way into your belongings.
Credit: liceclinicstemecula.com
What Disinfectant Kills Lice?
There are a few options when it comes to killing lice, and which one you use will likely depend on what you have on hand and what your preferences are. A common household disinfectant that can kill lice is vinegar. To use vinegar, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bowl and soak a cotton ball in the mixture.
Apply the soaked cotton ball to your head and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing out with warm water. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the mixture for added protection against lice. Another option is to make a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water.
Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to your head, letting it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing out with warm water. This method should only be used once or twice a week, as hydrogen peroxide can be drying to the hair if used too often. If you’re looking for something more natural, there are several essential oils that have been shown to kill lice, including tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and rosemary oil.
Add any of these oils (or a combination) to a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil at a ratio of about 10 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes before shampooing as usual.
How Long Can Lice Live in Your House?
If you’re dealing with a lice infestation, you may be wondering how long these pesky pests can live in your home. Unfortunately, lice are very resilient and can survive for several weeks without a host. This means that if you have lice in your home, they could continue to live and breed there even after all the humans in the house have been treated.
Lice need human blood to survive, so they will generally only live for about 24 hours away from a human head. However, they can sometimes survive for up to 48 hours if they have access to a food source like crumbs or pet hair. In addition, female lice can lay eggs (called nits) which hatch into new lice within 7-10 days.
So even if you get rid of all the adult lice, there could still be eggs lurking in your home that will hatch and start the cycle all over again.
The best way to get rid of lice is to thoroughly clean your home and treat all the people who live there at the same time. Vacuum carpets and furniture, wash all bedding and clothing in hot water, and use a strong nit comb to remove any nits from hair.
You may also want to consider using an insecticide spray on areas where lice are often found, like beds and couches. With some persistence, you can eventually get rid of this problem for good!
Do You Have to Wash Everything After Lice?
It’s important to remember that lice are parasites that live on the human head and feed on human blood. Although they can’t fly or jump, they can crawl from one head to another. So, if you or your child has lice, it’s important to take action right away to prevent the spread of these pests.
One of the most important things you can do is to wash all of your bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water. You should also vacuum your floors and furniture to get rid of any lice that may have fallen off. It’s also a good idea to wash anything else that might have come into contact with someone who had lice, such as hats, combs, and brushes.
Conclusion
If you’re dealing with house lice, don’t panic! There are a few simple steps you can take to get rid of them. First, vacuum your floors and furniture to remove any eggs or live bugs.
Then, wash all of your bedding and clothes in hot water. You can also treat your hair with an over-the-counter lice shampoo. Finally, make sure to clean any other areas where lice might have been, such as combs, brushes, and towels.
With a little effort, you’ll be able to get rid of those pesky critters for good!
