How to Clean Pillows After Lice: A Complete Guide

Finding out someone in the house has lice sends most parents into instant clean-up mode—and rightly so!

One of the first questions that pops up is how to clean pillows after lice to make sure those stubborn critters don’t keep coming back.

In this guide, we’ll cover what you should do immediately, what works (and what doesn’t), and how to safeguard your pillows and bedding.

What to Do With Pillows After Lice

Acting fast is key to breaking the lice life cycle.

Immediate Steps to Take:

• Remove pillowcases and wash them in hot water (at least 130°F) using a heavy-duty detergent. Dry them thoroughly on the highest heat setting to ensure any lingering lice or nits are eliminated.

• Isolate affected pillows to avoid cross-contamination by placing them in sealed plastic bags until they can be properly cleaned or treated.

• Decide on cleaning or isolating pillows based on material and care labels, ensuring that any non-washable pillows are either sanitized in a hot dryer or isolated for at least two weeks to guarantee lice death. Consider using a handheld steamer on delicate pillows as an additional lice-killing method where heat washing is not feasible.

During a lice episode in our house, I can’t tell you how grateful I was for having washable cover on our Puffy Cloud Mattress. It made the whole deep-clean process so much easier and way less stressful.

Will Putting Pillows in the Dryer Kill Lice

Yes, putting pillows in the dryer is one of the most effective ways to kill lice.

Why Dryers Work:

• High heat (at least 130°F) is lethal to lice and their eggs (nits), effectively dehydrating and killing them through exposure.

• Sustained heat ensures lice are killed at all life stages, including hardier nits that can sometimes survive lower levels of heat.

• Dryers reach temperatures that manual cleaning alone might not achieve, ensuring that deep-seated lice or eggs buried in pillow seams are effectively eradicated.

Best Practice:

• Always use the highest heat setting safe for your pillow’s material to maximize the chance of killing lice without damaging the fabric or fill.

• Add clean, dry towels to balance the load and help with even heating, which promotes thorough drying and prevents hot spots that could damage pillows.

How Long to Dry Pillows to Kill Lice

Time and heat both matter.

Recommended Drying Time:

• At least 30 minutes on high heat to kill live lice.

• 45–60 minutes if pillows are thick, dense, or have multiple layers.

How to Thoroughly Clean Pillows and Bedding After Lice

• Wash all bedding (sheets, pillowcases, blankets) in hot water.

• Dry all items on the highest heat setting that fabric allows.

• Vacuum mattresses, carpets, and upholstered furniture thoroughly.

• Bag non-washable items for two weeks in airtight plastic bags.

• Disinfect hairbrushes, combs, and hair accessories by soaking in hot water.

With several kids and a golden retriever who loves to nap on the beds, our Puffy Lux Mattress with its hypoallergenic, washable cover became the real MVP during our “lice clean-up weekend.” I honestly don’t know how we would have managed without it.

Best Preventative Practices After Lice Exposure

• Avoid head-to-head contact among family members.

• Don’t share pillows, brushes, or hats until all lice are eradicated.

• Continue daily head checks for at least two weeks after treatment.

• Repeat cleaning protocols weekly for added security.

• Keep long hair tied back during outbreak periods.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Pillows After Lice

Although cleaning is effective, there are cases when replacing pillows is the better choice:

• Pillows are over 2 years old and already showing signs of wear.

• Pillows that can’t withstand high heat or washing.

• Ongoing infestations despite thorough cleaning.

• Concerns about allergens or lingering bacteria.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to clean pillows after lice is crucial to ending an infestation quickly and keeping your household lice-free.

Whether you’re washing, drying, or isolating pillows, swift action paired with thorough cleaning makes all the difference.