Ticks can cling to outdoor clothing, so you may wonder, will ticks die in the washing machine? A regular wash cycle may remove some ticks, but water, detergent, and agitation do not reliably kill every one.
The safest laundry routine is to move tick-exposed clothing directly into a dryer and use high heat before storing or wearing it again. Dry heat works better for killing ticks than a washing cycle alone, especially when you put clothing into the machine dry.
The Short Answer
The dryer usually matters most because sustained high heat dries ticks out. A washer can clean laundry, but a cold or warm wash cycle may leave live ticks behind.
Guidance in a recent laundry and pest-control review recommends hot washing when fabric allows, followed by high-heat drying.
What a Wash Cycle Can and Cannot Do
A wash cycle combines water, movement, and laundry detergent. It may dislodge ticks from seams, cuffs, and pockets.
It does not guarantee that every blacklegged tick or adult tick will die, especially if you use cold water. If you suspect ticks on clothing, avoid shaking items indoors.
Place them directly into the washing machine or seal them in a tightly closed bag until you can dry them safely.
High Heat Timing for Dry and Damp Clothes
For dry clothing, run the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes. The CDC-based guidance summarized here describes high heat as effective on dry clothing in about that time.
For damp clothing, use a longer cycle, such as 30 to 60 minutes, and follow the garment-care label. Do not assume the spin cycle has killed ticks, and do not put potentially infested items into a hamper before drying.
Using Laundry Heat Safely
Hot water can add protection, but the required temperature may damage some fabrics or exceed your machine’s normal setting. Choose heat based on the care label, and rely on the dryer when hot washing is unsuitable.
When Hot Water Reaches a Useful Temperature
Research in this discussion of tick washing-machine survival points to water at least 130°F, or 54°C, as a useful target for killing blacklegged ticks. Some recommendations mention 140°F, or 60°C, but that temperature can shrink, fade, or weaken clothing.
Check your washing machine settings rather than assuming a “hot” cycle reaches 130°F. A hot wash with detergent followed immediately by high-heat drying gives more protection than a cool washing cycle alone.
How to Handle Clothing and Outdoor Gear
Separate tick-exposed clothing from clean laundry. Inspect pockets, cuffs, collars, socks, and seams before loading the machine.
Follow the care label for wool, silk, elastane, technical fabrics, and waterproof outdoor gear. For items that cannot tolerate hot water, wash them according to their care instructions and use a high-heat dryer only if permitted.
A garment steamer may help with delicate, non-washable items, but keep steam away from skin and test the fabric first.
What to Do Before and After Laundry
Inspect your clothing, body, pets, and gear after outdoor exposure, and handle any attached tick promptly.
Inspecting Items and Removing Visible Ticks
Use a lint roller on smooth clothing and a fine-toothed comb on textured fabrics or pet bedding. Check seams and folds in outdoor gear with bright light.
Place visible ticks in rubbing alcohol or a sealed container instead of crushing them with bare fingers. For a tick attached to your skin, use fine-tipped tweezers.
Grasp it close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands.
When a Tick Bite Needs Medical Attention
Watch for an expanding rash, fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, or other symptoms after a bite. Seek medical advice promptly if symptoms appear, if the tick was attached for an extended period, or if you develop concerns about Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or other tick-borne illnesses.
A healthcare professional can assess the bite, identify possible tick-borne diseases, and advise whether testing or treatment is appropriate. Keep a photo of the tick or the sealed specimen if you can do so safely.
Reducing Tick Risks on Future Outings
Laundry removes exposure from clothing, while tick prevention reduces the chance of bringing ticks home. Combine clothing coverage, approved repellents, and regular checks after visiting tick-infested areas.
Clothing Treatments and Skin Repellents
Treat suitable clothing and gear with permethrin according to the product label. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin, and keep treated items away from cats while wet.
For exposed skin, use an EPA-registered repellent containing DEET or another approved active ingredient. Some products use pyrethrin-related ingredients for clothing or gear, so follow each label closely and observe reapplication instructions.
Home and Outdoor Habits That Help
Stay near the center of trails and avoid brushing against tall grass, dense brush, and leaf litter when possible.
After you return home, remove outdoor clothing promptly and place it directly in the dryer when label-safe.
Shower and check your scalp, waist, groin, behind your knees, and underarms.
Keep grass trimmed and clear excess leaf litter.
Create a dry barrier between lawns and wooded edges.
Learn basic tick biology and clothing-removal practices to target the places and habits that give ticks the best chance to remain attached.
