How to Clean Your House After Lice Tutorial

Summary

Teresa, a registered nurse and head lice specialist, shares her expert advice on house cleaning after a lice infestation. Emphasizing that lice live on the head and traditional treatments are ineffective, she advises focusing on the scalp. Teresa debunks common myths about cleaning and provides practical tips: dry-cleaning, boiling, and bagging items for 48 hours. She warns against using pesticide sprays and introduces her top-secret cleaning tool: a sticky tape lint roller, proven to be more effective than vacuuming.

Takeaways

• 👩‍⚕️ Teresa is a registered nurse specializing in head lice and provides professional lice treatment advice.
• 🏠 The primary focus for cleaning should be on treating lice on the head, as lice cannot survive long off the scalp.
• 🚫 Avoid using traditional lice sprays as lice have become resistant to permethrin, a common chemical in these products.
• 🔥 To effectively kill lice, use high heat, such as drying items in a dryer for at least 40 minutes.
• 💧 Washing items in water is not effective against lice, as they can hold their breath underwater for up to 24 hours.
• 🍵 Boiling water and then placing items like combs and brushes in the hot water for 10 minutes can kill lice and eggs.
• 🛍️ Items that cannot be washed or boiled can be bagged and set aside for 48 hours to ensure any lice or eggs are dead.
• 🧹 A sticky tape lint roller is recommended for cleaning furniture and mattresses, as it picks up lice more effectively than vacuuming.
• 📝 For a detailed checklist of what to clean and how, visit Teresa's website, myliceadvice.com.
• 💡 Teresa's top secret tip for cleaning after lice is using a sticky tape lint roller for effective removal of lice from various surfaces.

Q & A

What is Teresa's profession and what does she specialize in?

Teresa is a registered nurse who specializes in head lice.

What is the primary focus of house cleaning after dealing with lice according to Teresa?

The primary focus of house cleaning after dealing with lice is to take care of lice on the head, as lice cannot survive long off the head.

How long can lice survive off the human head?

Lice can survive up to 48 hours off the human head, with most dying within just 24 hours.

Why are traditional lice treatments not effective anymore?

Traditional lice treatments are not effective because lice have grown resistant to the drugs used in these treatments, such as permethrin.

What is Teresa's advice on using lice sprays for house cleaning?

Teresa advises against using lice sprays because they are made of drugs like permethrin, to which lice are resistant, and because they pose a risk of inhaling toxic chemicals.

What is the 'dry, boil, bag' principle Teresa mentions for house cleaning?

The 'dry, boil, bag' principle suggests that to effectively kill lice and eggs, one should either dry items in a dryer on high heat, boil items in hot water, or bag them up for 48 hours.

How long should items be dried in a dryer to kill lice?

Items should be dried in a dryer on high heat for at least 40 minutes to kill lice.

What is the recommended temperature for boiling water to treat brushes and combs for lice?

The recommended temperature for boiling water to treat brushes and combs is 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the same as hot tea or coffee.

What is Teresa's top secret bonus tip for house cleaning after lice?

Teresa's top secret bonus tip is to use a sticky tape lint roller to clean furniture and mattresses after lice, as it picks up lice better than vacuuming.

Where can viewers find a detailed checklist for house cleaning after lice?

Viewers can find a detailed checklist for house cleaning after lice on Teresa's website, myliceadvice.com.

What does Teresa offer on her website to help parents deal with lice?

On her website, Teresa offers a professional lice treatment guide called 'Get Rid of Lice Like a Pro' to help parents treat their child at home.