After treating lice, most parents tell us they want one thing: to clean their home thoroughly and get back to their normal routine. If you’re in that stage right now, don’t panic. You don’t have to throw everything away or start disinfecting every surface.
According to Elyse, founder of Lice Sisters and a certified lice technician, getting your home back to normal comes down to three simple, science-backed methods: heat, cold, and time.
Watch the video below as Elyse explains exactly how to sanitize your home and belongings after lice treatment, using these three proven steps.
The lice life cycle
Here’s what matters most: lice can’t live long without a human host.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mayo Clinic, lice survive less than two days off the scalp. Nits (the eggs) can’t hatch unless they’re kept warm with the host’s body temperature.
That means the focus isn’t sanitizing every surface; it’s breaking the short survival window with heat, cold, or time.
Step 1: Heat
The high heat of the dryer kills lice. 45 minutes on high heat minimum. Do not overstuff the dryer. You want the heat to disperse through the clothes and linens, you need them to be fully dry.
Step 2: Cold
The freezer kills lice. Putting hair brushes, barrettes, rubber bands, helmets, combs, or any items that contact the hair in a Ziploc bag in the freezer for a minimum of 12 hours will kill lice.
Step 3: Time
Time kills lice. Bagging your items in garbage bags and leaving them in the garage or basement for one week will kill lice. We recommend the coldest part of the house.
The Three Cs: Couch, Car, and Comforters
- Couch. Avoid the couch for five full days, even if it's leather. In the meantime, use folding chairs or a chair with a low back.
- Car. Vacuum the car seats and wipe them down with a damp cloth. Use rubbing alcohol on pleather. Place garbage bags over the headrest and back of the seats. Children's car seats need to be cleaned carefully as well.
- Comforters. Seal in a garbage bag for five days, and then wash and dry according to directions. Substitute with a throw blanket that you can dry on high heat after the five days are up.
Lice Prevention and peace of mind
Lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact or by sharing items that touch the hair, like combs, hats, or hair accessories, according to the California Department of Public Health.
While cleaning your environment is important, the CDC emphasizes that treating the person, not the surroundings, is the crucial first step to prevent the spread of lice. Equally important is alerting close contacts such as friends, classmates, and cousins, since lice often spread in clusters of “three to six,” as Elyse notes.
Once the head is treated, the home is cleaned, and communication lines are open, you can restore a sense of calm and confidence.
To help prevent future outbreaks, Lice Sisters all-natural lice prevention spray offers an easy daily layer of protection, especially useful during school season or shared activities where lice love to hitch a ride.
Back to Normal (and Better Prepared)
A lice outbreak can throw off your whole routine, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. With a calm plan and the right methods, your home can be back to normal in just a few days.
Elyse’s three-part approach—heat, cold, and time—works because it’s simple, science-backed, and proven by experience. Don’t forget to watch the video above for her full demonstration, and keep this guide handy whenever you need a quick reminder.
When you follow these steps, you can feel confident knowing your home is truly clean, your family is protected, and life can move forward again.
To book an appointment with a lice expert in Michigan, visit our contact page and fill out the request form, or text Elyse at (248) 229-5424 with your name, email, and appointment request details. You can also check our Lice Sisters Locator page to find a professional near you who offers safe, effective treatment and prevention support.
Shop our online store to purchase safe, effective lice solutions from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re looking to prevent lice or treat an active case, our patented formulas and expert-curated kits are trusted by families, schools, and professionals.
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Lice Sisters offers expert, safe, and trusted lice removal services with 5-star reviews. Serving families in Bloomfield Hills and surrounding areas with compassionate care.
