Can you use a microwave to kill lice in a stuffed animal?

Question

My daughter contracted head lice. I am worried about her stuffed animals being contaminated, but I think washing in hot water will wreck some of them. So what about putting them in the microwave for a couple of minutes? That should kill anything, shouldn't it?

Answer 1

Put them in an air tight bag for 2 wks.

Answer 2

I don't think using a microwave will kill lice the most effective way would be to wash them. Rid also has a lice spray. Spray Rid on the stuff animal and place in a trash bag for 10 days .If any lice are on there that should kill them.

Answer 3

It is highly unlikely that an lice Will be on stuffed toys. This is a widespread bit on nonsense perpetuated by some poor advice on the CDC website.

If you are concerned it would be less likely to damage the toy if you put it in a freeze bag and froze it overnight than zapping it in a microwave where the heat can cause damage especially if ther is even a tiny piece of metal in the toy.

Answer 4

Micro Stuffed Animals

Answer 5

I worked at a summer camp where we had to give lice checks to the campers. If a camper had lice we would treat her hair (of course), then take all her sheets, pillows, stuffed animals, etc. and seal them in plastic bags or garbage bags. After a couple of days, the lice will die because there is no one for them to live off of. Then you simply wash the items, and they are as good as new!!

Answer 6

Well, you dont have to leave them in trash bags for 2-3 mos, just 1 month. Also anything that can go in the dryer for 15-20 mins on hot is good. Make sure that you have a clean, lice free, secure place to put things out of the dryer: like a clean trash bag, until you are done doing the rest of the house and the bedding. You should put pillows in the dryer too. You can do blankets (if they dont need to be washed anyway). Clean linens/clothes out of the cupboards/closets/dressers, that someone may have touched or been around, should also go in the dryer. Dont forget to do ALL the furniture and wipe surfaces. Dump out the vacuum cleaner and sprinkle carpet powder on the carpet, let it sit for a while, then vacuum.

Answer 7

Put them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer for 10 hours this will kill the lice. I woudnt do the microwave thing just because some teddy bears eyes are held in place by a metal backing which is bad for your microwave. I have posted the site I got the freezer info for you in my sources section

Answer 8

I have a doll business that includes stuffed animals. You can wash them but if you dry the long "haired " ones they might melt and the hair will curl up. You can air dry to be on the safe side. Don't micro them. You can also spray them with Lysol and put them in a plastic bag for a week or so. Try all the above to be on the safeside.

Answer 9

I don't know about that..but if you call the hospital and just ask for a nurse then they should be able to answer it.
If you can't wash anything because it'll be destroyed and it can't be microwaved then you can seal stuff in bags that are AIR TIGHT for a certain period of time so they suffocate and die. I don't remeber how long it is

Answer 10

Lice will not live in stuffed animals. Their eggs and newborn might , for a certain length of time.
The best way is to wash them.

Answer 11

okay heres the thing if you put stuffed animals in you micowave yeah and im not saying it will work but if it does then you now have dead lice in youre microwave well thats pleasing isnt so i say dont do it