A washing machine does not reliably kill every tick. Water temperature, cycle conditions and tick species all matter. Heat from a clothes dryer is the more dependable control step for clothing that may carry blacklegged ticks.
Can ticks survive a washing machine?
Yes, some ticks can survive a wash—especially in cool or warm water. That means washing alone should not be treated as a guaranteed way to make exposed clothing tick-free.
What laundry method kills blacklegged ticks?
Research on blacklegged ticks found that temperature is critical. For dry clothing, tumble-drying on high heat for at least 10 minutes can kill ticks. Damp clothing needs more time to dry completely. If the clothes require washing first, use hot water when the care label allows, then dry thoroughly on high heat.
The peer-reviewed drying study indexed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine tested the time and temperature required to kill blacklegged ticks. A plain-language summary of the CDC-led research also explains why cold and medium-temperature settings are less reliable.
A practical after-outdoors routine
- Keep outdoor clothing separate from clean laundry.
- If the clothing is dry and its care label permits it, use a high-heat dryer cycle for at least 10 minutes.
- If clothing is damp, dry it longer so it becomes completely dry and heated throughout.
- If you wash first, use hot water when fabric care instructions allow, then follow with high-heat drying.
- Check your body, children, gear and pets promptly; laundry does not replace a full tick check.
Always follow garment-care instructions. Heat-sensitive items may need a different approach, so inspect them carefully and follow current public-health guidance.
What if you find a tick attached?
Remove it promptly with clean, fine-tipped tweezers, pulling upward with steady pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands. Contact a healthcare professional or local public-health unit if you develop symptoms or need advice about Lyme disease risk. This article is general prevention information, not medical advice.
Reduce ticks where your family spends time
Laundry is only one part of prevention. Mosquito Pros provides tick control in Merrickville and across Eastern Ontario, focusing on the shaded property edges and vegetation where ticks are most likely to be encountered.
