Wash all pet bedding and linens in hot water weekly

What to Do

Wash pet beds, blankets, throw rugs, and any fabric where pets sleep in hot water (130°F/54°C or higher) followed by a hot dryer cycle. During an active infestation, wash weekly for at least a month. Include your own bedding if pets sleep on your bed.

Why It Works

Flea eggs are smooth and roll off pet fur onto bedding within hours of being laid. A single female flea lays 40-50 eggs per day. Hot water and dryer heat kill eggs, larvae, and adults. This removes a major egg reservoir that vacuuming alone can miss.

Tips

• The dryer heat is actually more lethal than the wash water — 20 minutes on high kills all life stages
• Items that can't be washed (large dog beds) can go in the dryer alone on high heat for 30 minutes
• Replace pet beds with washable covers over foam inserts for easier ongoing maintenance