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Can ticks survive going through the wash?

Carolina Mohr
Carolina Mohr
2025-10-11 18:55:27
Count answers : 22
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Ticks can actually survive a hot-water run through the washing machine. It’s the dryness that kills them. Ticks require moisture to survive and will rapidly desiccate and die in dry conditions—and a quick spin in the dryer is all that’s needed to crisp ’em to death. Throw any potential tick-bearing clothes in the dryer and run it on high heat for 10 minutes. Ticks require moisture to survive and will rapidly desiccate and die in dry conditions—and a quick spin in the dryer is all that’s needed to crisp ’em to death. A dryer spin is just yet another effective technique to add to your arsenal.
Ona Lakin
Ona Lakin
2025-10-11 16:29:42
Count answers : 17
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Placing clothing directly in a dryer and drying for a minimum of 6 minutes on high heat will effectively kill ticks on clothing. If clothing is soiled and requires washing first, our results indicate clothing should be washed with water temperature [equal to or greater than] 54°C (≥130°F) to kill ticks. Washing with hot water killed all nymphal and adult ticks when the water temperature was [equal to or greater than] 54°C (130°F). The majority (94%) of ticks survived warm washes [temperature range between 27–46°C (80–115ºF)] and all ticks survived cold washes [15–27°C (59–80°F)]. If a tick survives a wash cycle it’s still possible to kill them in the dryer. When subsequently dried on a high heat setting [54–85°C (129–185°F)], it took 50 minutes to kill all ticks (95% confidence limit, 55 minutes).
Noelia Schamberger
Noelia Schamberger
2025-10-11 16:01:25
Count answers : 20
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All nymphal and adult ticks were killed when exposed to wash cycles when the water temperature reached ≥54°C (≥130°F). However, 50% of ticks survived hot water washes when the water temperature was <54°C. The majority (94%) of ticks survived warm washes [temperature range, 27-46°C (80-115°F)] and all ticks survived cold washes [15-27°C (59-80°F)]. We have identified effective, easily implemented methods to rid clothing of ticks after spending time outdoors. Placing clothing directly in a dryer and drying for a minimum of 6min on high heat will effectively kill ticks on clothing. If clothing is soiled and requires washing first, our results indicate clothing should be washed with water temperature ≥54°C (≥130°F) to kill ticks.

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