Get rid of ticks on clothes with this simple washing method

Spring is a time of warmth, picnics and ticks. The great weather gives you more opportunities to spend time outdoors, but you should be careful because tick bites can have serious and dangerous consequences.

It is important to remember to take precautions not only to protect your skin. Ticks can hide on clothes, so you should immediately check all your clothes and wash them in a timely manner. Experts told us how to clean clothes from ticks using a simple washing method.

There is a long list of diseases that can threaten your health after being bitten by ticks, including alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), Lyme disease, and anaplasmosis. It's important to take precautions before and after being outside to protect yourself and your family.

A study published in Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases found that there is an effective laundry method to help kill ticks on clothing. Put your clothes in the washer immediately after being in areas where ticks could potentially be found

Do not put clothes in the laundry basket, on the bed, on the floor, or in any other place where ticks can spread throughout the living space.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), clothes that may have ticks on them should be washed at the highest temperature in the washing machine. Cold and warm wash modes do not kill ticks. The water temperature should be at least 55 degrees Celsius for the washing to be effective. Next, place the clothes in a tumble dryer for at least 10 minutes.

There are certain environments where the likelihood of getting a tick bite increases many times over: grassy areas with lots of bushes. Ticks also like to gather in gardens, wooded areas, and even on animals. Your pet can bring ticks into the house, so it's important to conduct regular checks after walks.

Experts recommend spraying clothes and shoes with 0.5% permethrin spray before going outdoors. You can also use insect repellents. After returning home, you should take a shower as soon as possible and examine your body for ticks.

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