Once your child has been treated and is back in school, it is time to wash clothes, bedding, and recently worn clothing including jackets, sweaters even winter clothes and mittens. Do this as soon as you have treated your family member. It doesn't have to be done daily. You only have to do it once, but it must be a thorough cleaning, or all lice and nits may not be eliminated, thus re-infesting your family member. Wash items in hot, soapy water in a washing machine. Drying in a 140°F dryer will destroy both lice and nits. Items like stuffed animals, pillows, hats, headphones, bike helmets, etc. which cannot be washed may be stored in a tightly sealed plastic bag. (Using a bag which is 3mm thick will help make sure no items puncture the plastic bag.) Store the plastic bag for at least 2 weeks. Your home will also have to be vacuumed thoroughly. Carpets, pillows, mattresses, and overstuffed furniture must be vacuumed thoroughly. Be sure to clean front, back, and sides of all couch and chair pads. Vacuum between the crevices on all stuffed furniture. Bean bag type furniture must be vacuumed even if they are made out of vinyl. Be sure to vacuum the family vehicle, including car seats, booster seats, and even seat belt straps. It seems like an overwhelming task, but it is the ONLY way to break the lice/nit cycle.
Don't forget to place the used vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed plastic bag and store for 2 weeks, then place in the garbage can. If a bagless vacuum cleaner is used, be sure to empty the container in a plastic bag. Then place the container (filter) in a sealed bag for 2 weeks. By denying lice access to human hair (which they use to feed on) you will be destroying their life cycle.
Bagless vacuums contain a filter which traps dirt and debris. Lice and nits may cling to the filter during vacuuming. To empty and clean the filter, place the plastic bag near a hard surface. Place the filter inside the plastic bag and tap against the hard surface to free all dirt and debris which may cling to the filter. Seal the bag and store for 2 weeks, then place in the garbage can.
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