How to Identify and Clean Bed Bug Stains

How to Clean Bed Bug Stains on Washable Laundry

1. Separate Laundry by Color and Fabric Type

   Gather every piece of laundry that could have come in contact with the bed bugs, including clothing, towels, and bedding. Separate the items by color and fabric type. Place the items in plastic bags and seal them tightly until you can wash each bag of laundry. Keep the bags sealed to prevent the spreading of the bugs.

   Tip

   If you see live bed bugs on colorfast clothing, a quick spray with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol will kill the bugs on contact. However, it will not eliminate eggs or remove the infestation. For complete bug removal, it's best to call a professional.
   

2. Treat Stains on Washable Fabrics

   Try a regular wash to remove stains if they are not heavy. These stains usually look like tiny, dark rusty dots and can be caused by bedbug excrement or drops of human blood. However, if the staining is heavy, pretreat it with an enzyme-based fabric stain remover before washing, such as Zout or Shout.

   Apply the stain remover to the stains, and allow it to work for about 10 minutes before washing the fabrics as recommended.

3. Choose Washer Settings

   Add your regular detergent to the washer's automatic dispenser or drum. Set the washer to the cycle (normal, gentle, permanent press) and the hottest water temperature recommended for the fabric.

4. Load and Start the Washer

   Empty one plastic bag of laundry into the washer with care, keeping the bag inside the drum as much as possible. Work carefully to prevent scattering the bugs. Start the washer immediately and dispose of the bag in an outside bin.

5. Use the Correct Dryer Cycle

   Transfer the clothes from the washer to the dryer. Select the highest possible heat cycle for the fabric type, and allow the dryer to run for at least 30 minutes. Ideally, the heat should exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit to kill both the bugs and the eggs.

   When each cycle is finished, empty the dryer lint filter and dispose of the contents in a sealed plastic bag in an outside trash can.

6. Protect Clean Laundry

   Place freshly washed, folded laundry in sealable plastic bags to prevent reinfestation unless you are certain that the bed bug infestation has been eliminated by a pest management company or your own diligence,

How to Clean Bed Bug Stains on Dry-Clean Fabrics

1. Use a Professional Dry Cleaner

   Seal clothing and bedding that cannot be machine-washed in a large plastic bag and take to a professional cleaner. Warn the cleaner about the bed bugs.

2. Pretreat Stains

   Inspect the bedding or clothes for stains and pretreat them with an enzyme-based laundry stain remover such as Zout or Shout.

3. Use a Steam Cleaner and Vacuum

   Use a clothes steamer that reaches a temperature between 160 and 180 to kill the bugs and eggs. Follow the instructions for the steamer and treat every surface of the item. After steaming, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove any dead bugs. Empty the vacuum bag or dust container into a plastic bag, and dispose of it in an outside bin.

4. Leave the Fabric to Air-Dry

   Let the fabric air-dry. Hang sheets and clothing on a clothesline, or lay out bulky garments, such as sweaters, on a drying rack. This lets air circulate all around the fabric, and also helps release wrinkles as the material dries.

How to Remove Bed Bug Stains From Mattresses

One of the most common sites for bed bug stains is on the mattress, as these pests like to hide along mattress seams during the day, and then come out at night to bite sleeping humans. Once your home is completely free from the infestation, it's time to clean your mattress.

Using a steam cleaner not only removes most stains, but it also helps eliminate any lingering bed bug eggs, as well as dust mites and other allergens. You can use this technique to clean upholstery as well, but take care not to wet upholstery too much.

1. Strip the Bed

   Remove all of your blankets, sheets, mattress toppers, and mattress protectors from the bed.

2. Vacuum the Mattress

   Vacuum the entire surface of your mattress, paying particular attention to the seams. Lift the mattress so you can access the bottom as well.

3. Treat Stains With Stain Remover

   Treat any obvious stains with an enzyme-based laundry stain remover, such as Shout or Zout. Rub the treatment into the stain, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then blot it away with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.

4. Clean the Mattress With a Steamer

   Steam the mattress with a hand steamer or clothes steamer, keeping the steamer head 2 or 3 inches above the mattress. Keep the steamer moving in long, slow strokes to avoid over-saturating any one spot. Work from one corner of the mattress to the other, then steam the sides of the mattress, and then prop the mattress up against a wall or large piece of furniture so you can steam the underside.

   Tip

   The mattress should feel slightly damp, not drenched. If it is too wet, you are either holding the steamer too close or lingering in one spot for too long.

5. Air-Dry the Mattress

   Leave the mattress propped up on its side until it is completely dry. Open windows, if possible, or run a fan in the room to increase air circulation. Once the mattress is dry, go ahead and make up your bed as usual.

When to Call a Professional

If you do not immediately eradicate the bed bug infestation, stains will likely return due to the continued feeding of these bloodsucking pests. While it is possible to handle a small infestation yourself with diligence and persistence, it is generally best to call in a professional service to handle the eradication process. The bed bug experts have access to more effective chemicals and equipment and more experience in conquering an infestation of these tiny, well-hidden insects.

Additional Tips for Handling Bed Bug Stains

If you notice a return of stains after your cleaning process, there's a good chance that the bed bugs were not entirely eradicated. If this is the case, call a professional exterminating service to handle the problem. It can be very difficult to get rid of bed bugs on your own, and the process requires persistence.