How to Kill Bed Bugs in Pillows

Laundering the Pillow

• 1). Wash the pillow in a washing machine using laundry detergent and the hottest water the pillow material will allow.
  
  
• 2). Place the pillow in the dryer on the highest setting the material will allow. Once the pillow is almost dry, turn the heat up to the highest setting on the dryer for at least twenty minutes. The temperature must reach at least 113 degrees F to kill bed bugs. Once the dryer cycle is complete, immediately remove the dryer lint and throw it away.
  
  
• 3). If it is not possible to place the pillow in a dryer that gets up to 113 degrees F, place a freshly laundered, completely dry pillow in a plastic bag. Place the plastic bag in a freezer. The freezer temperature must be 22 degrees Fahrenheit or below to kill the bed bugs. Leave the pillow in the freezer for five days and then remove. Vacuum the pillow to remove any dead bed bugs or eggs. Immediately dispose of the vacuum contents.
  
  

Sealing your Pillow

• 1). Vacuum your pillow to remove as many bed bugs and eggs as possible. Immediately dispose of the vacuum bag contents.
  
  
• 2). Place the pillow in a plastic or hypoallergenic zip-up pillow cover. This seal must be kept on the pillow for at least a year. Sealing the pillow prevents bed bugs from feeding and spreading. Bed bug nymphs live for two months without feeding, and adults can survive a year without feeding.
  
  
• 3). Remove the pillow zip-up cover after at least a year. Vacuum the pillow to remove any dead eggs and bugs. Immediately dispose of the contents in the vacuum.