Washing bedding at 140°F (60°C) or higher kills fleas at every life stage, including eggs, larvae, and adults. Most standard washing machines with a “hot” setting reach this temperature, making it one of the simplest steps in getting rid of a flea infestation at home.
Why Temperature Matters
Adult fleas die relatively easily in hot water, but their eggs and pupae are tougher. Flea eggs have a protective outer shell that can withstand warm (not hot) water and even some mild detergents. Water below about 95°F (35°C) won’t reliably destroy eggs, which means a cold or warm cycle can leave survivors behind. Those survivors hatch days later, and the cycle starts over.
At 140°F and above, the heat denatures proteins inside the eggs and kills larvae on contact. The agitation of a full wash cycle at this temperature, lasting 10 minutes or more, is enough to eliminate fleas at all stages. If your machine has a dedicated “sanitize” cycle that heats water to 150–170°F, that works even better, though it isn’t necessary.
What to Wash and How
Strip everything: sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, mattress protectors, blankets, and any throw pillows with removable covers. Pet bedding is a priority since it’s the most common breeding ground. Wash each load on the hottest setting the fabric can handle. For items labeled “warm wash only,” the dryer step (covered below) becomes your safety net.
Use your regular laundry detergent. There’s no need for special flea-killing additives. The combination of hot water, detergent, and mechanical tumbling does the work. Wash infested items separately from your regular laundry to avoid spreading eggs to clean clothes.
During an active infestation, wash all bedding at least once a week. The CDC recommends ongoing sanitation throughout the treatment period to catch any remaining eggs and juvenile fleas that hatch between washes.
The Dryer Is Just as Important
Running bedding through a tumble dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes kills adult fleas and eggs, even if some survived the wash. Dryers on a high setting typically reach 135–150°F, which is well within the lethal range. This step matters most for items you couldn’t wash on hot, like delicate blankets or pillows that only tolerate a warm cycle.
If you have items that can’t be washed at all, such as decorative pillows without removable covers, 30 minutes in a hot dryer alone can still be effective. Just make sure the dryer is set to high, not a timed-dry or air-fluff mode that doesn’t generate real heat.
Items You Can’t Wash or Dry
Mattresses, upholstered headboards, and heavy comforters that don’t fit in a machine need a different approach. A handheld steam cleaner is the most effective option. Steam at around 200°F (93°C) or higher destroys adult fleas and eggs in under a minute. Hold the steam nozzle over each section for at least 30 seconds, moving slowly. Flea pupae buried in thicker fabrics are more resistant, so aim for a full 60 seconds per section on mattresses and dense upholstery.
After steaming a mattress, let it dry completely before putting sheets back on. Moisture trapped inside can create conditions for mold, which trades one problem for another.
Vacuuming Before and After
Vacuuming your mattress, bed frame, and surrounding carpet before washing bedding loosens flea eggs and picks up larvae that would otherwise drop off during the strip-and-wash process. Flea eggs aren’t sticky. They fall off fabric easily and settle into carpet fibers, baseboards, and cracks in bed frames. A thorough vacuum before laundry day prevents those eggs from reinfesting clean bedding the moment you put it back on.
Vacuum again after the bed is remade, focusing on the carpet around and under the bed. Empty the vacuum canister or dispose of the bag in an outdoor trash bin immediately, since fleas can survive and crawl back out.
How Often to Repeat
Flea eggs hatch in one to ten days under typical indoor conditions, and pupae can remain dormant in carpet or mattress seams for weeks. A single wash won’t end an infestation. Plan on washing all bedding weekly for at least three to four weeks while treating the broader problem with vacuuming and, if needed, pet flea treatment. This overlapping schedule ensures you catch each new generation of fleas before they mature enough to lay more eggs.
If you’re also treating pets, coordinate the timing. Wash the pet’s bedding and your own bedding on the same day, and vacuum the house before putting clean bedding back in place. This prevents freshly hatched fleas from jumping onto clean sheets within hours of laundering.