How to Get Rid of Bedbugs from Your Mattress
Strip and Wash Bedding
Remove all sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers, and blankets. Wash them in hot water (at least 60°C/140°F) and dry on the highest heat setting. Heat is the most reliable way to kill bedbugs and their eggs.
Vacuum Thoroughly
Tip: After vacuuming, immediately empty the vacuum canister or seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it outside to prevent reinfestation.
Steam Treatment
Bedbugs and their eggs can’t survive high heat. A handheld garment steamer or specialized bedbug steamer can be used to treat the mattress and bed frame. Slowly run the steamer over all surfaces, paying close attention to seams and corners.
Use a Bedbug-Proof Mattress Cover
Once your mattress is dry, encase it in a bedbug-proof mattress cover (also called a bedbug encasement). These specially designed covers trap any remaining bugs inside and prevent new ones from getting in, cutting off their food source so they eventually die.
Treat the Room
Bedbugs often hide in cracks and crevices near the bed. Consider treating baseboards, headboards, and nearby furniture with a bedbug-approved insecticide or contacting a professional pest control service for severe infestations.
Regular Checks
After treatment, inspect your mattress and bedding weekly for signs of bedbugs (tiny black spots, shed skins, or live bugs) to catch any recurrence early.
Stay Patient and Persistent
It may take several weeks of constant cleaning and monitoring in order to completely eradicate bedbugs entirely. Be careful, and you will soon have a mattress that is free of bedbugs and you will be able to enjoy a restful night’s sleep once more!