Ever peeled off your hiking clothes and wondered if tossing them in the wash actually kills those sneaky ticks? You’re not alone—many of us worry about bringing ticks, and the diseases they carry, into our homes.
Understanding how ticks respond to your washer’s settings is key for protecting your health.
In this article, we’ll explain if and how washing machines can kill ticks, plus share proven tips for keeping these pests out of your laundry—for good.
Related Video
Will Ticks Die in the Washing Machine?
When you discover a tick crawling on your clothes after a walk in the woods or tall grass, it’s natural to worry about bringing these pests into your home. Many people wonder if simply tossing those clothes into the washing machine is enough to kill any lurking ticks. Let’s explore whether just running a wash cycle can truly rid your laundry of ticks, what you can do to increase your chances of eliminating them, and what practical steps you should take to protect yourself and your household.
Does the Washing Machine Kill Ticks?
Ticks are incredibly resilient creatures. While a washing machine may seem like an inhospitable environment for these tiny pests, the truth is, the typical cycle—especially when set to cold or lukewarm water—rarely kills ticks. Here’s why:
- Ticks have tough exoskeletons: Their hard outer shell offers protection against water and many everyday detergents.
- Ticks can survive underwater: Some tick species can live for up to three days submerged, meaning a standard wash cycle often isn’t lethal.
- Temperature matters: Ticks are highly sensitive to heat, but most washing machines don’t reach high enough temperatures to guarantee their death.
In short, a typical laundry wash—particularly cold or short cycles—probably won’t kill all ticks. Some might survive the wash, creating a risk of re-infestation or even disease.
How Do Ticks Die in Laundry? Key Factors
To actually kill ticks in your laundry, two main conditions are effective: heat and dryness. Here’s how these factors work:
1. Temperature
- Ticks die within minutes at temperatures above 130°F (about 54°C).
- Most washing machine cycles use water much cooler than this, especially on cold or eco-friendly settings.
- Hot water washes, if available on your machine and safe for your clothing, provide a better chance of killing ticks but aren’t always foolproof.
2. Drying Power
- The clothes dryer is your real ally. A high-heat tumble dry for 10–15 minutes typically kills ticks, even if they survived the wash.
- Ticks can’t withstand prolonged exposure to the hot, dry conditions of a dryer.
Steps to Get Rid of Ticks on Clothes
Knowing that washing isn’t enough, follow these steps to ensure your clothes are tick-free after outdoor activities:
1. Remove Your Clothes Promptly
- After spending time in areas where ticks may be present, remove your clothing before entering your main living areas.
- Place potentially tick-infested clothes in a bag or basket to contain any escaping ticks.
2. Wash with Care
- Wash clothes in hot water if fabric allows. Read care labels to avoid damaging delicate items.
- Use regular laundry detergent—while detergent alone may not kill all ticks, it contributes to overall cleanliness.
3. Dry with High Heat
- Place clothes in the dryer on the highest heat setting your fabric can tolerate.
- Dry for at least 10–15 minutes for effective tick-killing results.
- If clothes can’t be washed hot, tumble dry them directly—many ticks die from heat and dryness alone.
4. Inspect and Clean Up
- After drying, inspect clothing for any remaining ticks.
- Clean the basket or area where dirty clothes were stored to prevent lingering pests.
Benefits of Properly Treating Clothes for Ticks
Treating your clothes correctly after outdoor adventures provides several important benefits:
- Protects your health: Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Killing them promptly reduces risk.
- Prevents home infestations: Eliminating ticks before they can escape into your home or pets prevents infestations.
- Peace of mind: Following the right laundry steps lets you enjoy the outdoors without constant worry.
Challenges When Relying Only on the Washing Machine
While tossing clothes in the wash is convenient, relying solely on this method has limitations:
- Incomplete tick removal: Not all ticks will be dislodged or killed by a regular wash cycle.
- Potential for survivor ticks: Any tick that lives through the wash can potentially bite or infest your home.
- Fabric concerns: Some materials can only handle cold temperatures or gentle cycles, making it harder to use hot water or heat-drying methods.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
Here are some expert tips to help ensure your laundry is tick-free:
- Use hot wash settings when possible: Always check clothing labels first.
- Always finish with a high-heat dry: Even delicate items can often handle a short tumble on low heat, which is better than skipping the dryer entirely.
- Don’t leave dirty clothes lying around: The sooner you get them into the washer and dryer, the less chance ticks have to escape.
- Double-check seams and pockets: Ticks like to hide in folds and crevices—give clothes a quick shake and inspection before and after cleaning.
- Consider tick-repellent sprays for heavy-duty outings: Specially formulated clothing sprays create an additional protective barrier.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Anyone who spends time in areas where ticks thrive—think grassy fields, wooded trails, or even your own garden—can pick up ticks on their clothing. However, these groups should be especially cautious:
- Hikers, campers, and garden enthusiasts
- Hunters and outdoor workers
- Pet owners whose animals roam outdoors
- Families with children who play in tall grass or brushy areas
For these individuals, following best practices for handling and washing outdoor clothing is crucial.
How to Make Your Laundry Routine Tick-Safe: An Easy Checklist
Keep this checklist in mind after any outdoor adventure:
- Change clothes as soon as you return indoors.
- Place potentially exposed clothing directly into the washing machine.
- Wash with hot water (if possible).
- Transfer clothes immediately to the dryer.
- Dry on the highest heat setting for at least 10–15 minutes.
- Inspect clothes and surrounding areas; clean up any visible ticks.
- Enjoy your tick-free, clean clothes and home!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can ticks survive a regular cold wash cycle?
Yes, ticks can survive a cold wash. Their tough outer shells allow them to withstand cold water and standard spinning cycles. To ensure they are killed, always follow up with a high-heat drying cycle.
Will detergent alone kill ticks in the washing machine?
Regular laundry detergent may help remove some ticks from clothes by making them slippery, but detergent alone is not lethal to ticks. Heat is the most reliable way to kill them.
How long should I dry clothes to kill ticks?
Clothes should be dried on the highest heat setting for at least 10–15 minutes. Ticks are highly sensitive to heat, and this duration is typically sufficient to kill all life stages.
Is it safe to skip the dryer if I wash in hot water?
No. While hot water is preferable to cold, many washing machines do not reach the high temperatures needed to guarantee tick death. The dryer’s heat is the most effective killing method.
Do I need to treat all clothes after being outdoors, or just those that might have touched plants?
It’s best to treat all clothes you wore outdoors, including socks, pants, shirts, and even hats. Ticks are small and can crawl unnoticed onto any fabric, so thoroughness is key.
In Summary
Washing machines alone are usually not enough to kill ticks on your clothes, especially if you use cold or warm cycles. The combination of a hot water wash and—most importantly—a high-heat dryer cycle is the best way to eliminate these pests. Take quick action after spending time outdoors and stay vigilant with your laundry to keep your home and family safe from ticks and the diseases they may carry.
By following these practical steps and tips, you can enjoy your time outside knowing you have a reliable action plan to keep ticks at bay.