We know that dealing with a lice outbreak can literally make you feel like your skin is crawling. Just the thought of having lice can make you feel itchy, so we completely understand why you may feel like you need to clean your home from top to bottom when you find lice. We can assure you, however, that this is unnecessary!
Lice can’t fly or jump, and while they do crawl, they won’t want to leave the human head. They survive on human blood, so they don’t have much reason to leave the scalp. Lice can’t survive without a food supply for more than 24-48 hours, so even if they fall off the head, they won’t live long.
All of that being said, there are a few things you should do to make sure that you not only get rid of lice from your family’s heads, but also from your home.
Here are our tips on how to clean your home with a lice outbreak.
- Change sheets of the bed the infested individual has slept in within the last 24 hours. Wash and dry in hot temperatures, or just throw in with dirty laundry. Bedspreads, blankets, stuffed animals and comforters can be thrown in the dryer on high for 30-45 minutes.
- Combs, brushes and hair accessories used in the last 24 hours only:
– Soak in alcohol or dish detergent for a minimum of 2 hours.
– Put in a Ziploc bag and place in freezer overnight.
– Put in dishwasher on hot cycle
– Just set aside and don’t use them for a day or two - Lightly vacuum on areas where the infested person sits or lays (ex: floors, furniture and other upholstery). No vacuum? Easy-peasy…use a lint roller!
Unnecessary time spent cleaning the house would be better spent lice-combing your child’s hair. In order to get rid of the lice, all you need is a great lice comb. Stay away from the popular lice removal products you can get at your local store, they contain harsh chemicals. If you need help, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
