According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bed bugs love the smell of dirty laundry. During a recently conducted study, researchers set up a fake bedroom with laundry bags. One of the bags was filled with clean clothing, while the other was filled with dirty clothes. They then released a cage full of bed bugs and left them for four days. When researchers came back, the bugs were twice as likely to have burrowed into the bag containing the dirty clothes.
A bed bug infestation can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to remedy. Even after having your home professionally exterminated it is possible for a reinfestation to occur. Adult bed bugs are roughly the size of an apple seed, and experts agree that if a crack will hold a credit card, it could hide a bed bug. To make matters worse, your dirty clothes don't have to sit for an extended period of time before bed bugs will move in and make themselves at home.
The soil level of your clothing doesn't seem to matter to these pests either. Scientists found that even clothing that had only been worn for a short period of time was dirty enough to attract the bugs. The more frequently you do laundry, the better. According to the American Cleaning Institute, your bedding should be washed every two weeks. Towels and bras should be laundered after three uses. Reducing the amount of time your dirty laundry sits around is crucial to limiting the chance for an infestation.
Hotel rooms are notorious for playing host to these little pests. If you find yourself traveling, follow these tips to avoid a bed bug problem when you return home.
Keep your luggage on racks and off the floor. This makes it harder for bed bugs to sneak into your laundry bag or into your luggage.
Hang your laundry bag in the closet. Keeping your bag of smelly clothes off the floor will help reduce the ability of the bed bugs to travel home with you.
While on vacation, do laundry every few days.
Seal dirty clothes in plastic bags and set them in the sun upon your return home. Bed bugs are unable to survive in high heat.
Doing a load of laundry may not prevent a bed bug problem entirely, but it can't hurt to not have your dirty laundry sitting around, inviting them in.
Alternative Electrolux Dealers in Charlotte, NC
For more than 40 years T & L Laundry Equipment has helped laundromat owners deliver high quality laundry services to their customers. We proudly offer the full line of products from Speed Queen and Continental to help you outfit your laundromat with the latest in washing and drying technology. Our team is passionate about what we do and who we serve. Call today and schedule a free onsite evaluation of your laundromat and learn how simple changes could improve your business.
Forget those ElectroluxdDealers in Charlotte, NC and put our experience to work in your laundromat and choose T & L Laundry Equipment as your partner in success.
