I need to find a way to de-flea my quilt without putting it in the wash. Any suggestions?

Question

I can't put the quilt in the wash, it's precious to me, but need to treat my cats for fleas (now that I'm covered in bleepin' bites and get bit every night) and clean and vacuum for a few weeks, etc. What should I do with the quilt? I've read that isolating a space or objects is a bad idea because the pupae stay dormant, so putting it away seems a no-go. Should I keep vacuuming it along with the carpet and mattress every day? Help!

Answer 1

1] vacuum it.
2] put it in a plastic bag, seal it, and freeze it!
Good luck!
[consult a pest control expert about the flea control - I know how you feel; fleas/mosquitoes/flies think I'm delicious! ]

Answer 2

If you have a room where you can set off a "bug-bomb" type flea-killer, hang the quilt in there, and "bomb" the room. I'd try putting up a makeshift clothes line and using clothespins to hang the quilt. Don't just throw it over the line, because the doubled area of the quilt won't get the exposure to the insecticide that it needs. Be sure to get a product that kills eggs as well as adults (it's the eggs that can stay dormant for ages); otherwise, you'll just have the same problem all over again in three weeks when they hatch.

This solution can help for any room that is infested; you will probably have to leave the house/apartment if you do more than one room at a time. Be sure to follow the directions on the insecticide.

Once you've bombed the quilt, put it in a place where it can air out for a few hours to get rid of the chemical smell.

Good luck - the little buggers will make you crazy!

Answer 3

First the eggs they laid will hatch.
If you have a cheap dry cleaner machine in your local Laundromat you can probably put it in the machine I'd also make sure they use perk a toxic but very effective chemical that will kill the buggers and larva.
Then I;d hang it outside for 2 days in the sun.
Or let it dry 100 percent and put it in a dryer about 3 times at extra hot or the buggers will come back to haunt you.
Ask if it's safe to put moth balls in the dryer maybe in a cloth bag as they may melt and damage something. Be certain it's safe temperature wise. So you don't have a fire or ruin your item. Be there when you do this don't go out just make sure you have a open window maybe with a fan as well.
They are hard to get ride of.
Some areas sell dry cleaning bags that you use in your dryer but i don't know if they contain perk which is the chemical that should ill those bugs for you.
Check your rugs for the eggs and bugs first, if need be use mothball flakes on the rug.
Go outside and don't inhale anymore of this than you can avoid. Good Luck.
Bath you pet with a recommended Vet solution.

Answer 4

They have sprays that can be used on couches and such but I am not sure I would want to use it on something I sleep with every night. because then you will be breathing in toxins.

I really think your best bet is to hand wash it with a flea shampoo, and hang it out to dry. I have hand washed many quilts and never had a problem. They should be washed every year for clendliness reasons anyway.

But I have also been told you can put them in a bag and suck out the air with a vacuume tie it off and then leave it for a month. But yes larve may still not have hatched and you will still have the problem.

Answer 5

Get some fresh Lavender and seal the quilt with the Lavender in a bag for a few days then hang the quilt in the hot sun. I think with your carpets you have to shampoo them to get rid of all the flea eggs or you will have the same problem again.

Answer 6

After giving it a good vacuum, Buy a dry cleaning kit, Dryel makes one, its about 7.00 dollars you get a large bag and special pads, you also get a bottle of spot remover. For the quilt you put it in the bag along with the special pads, zip it up and put it in the dryer, That should take care of the fleas,
They sell a special comb at the pet store. if your cats will let you comb them you can get the fleas, out of their fur and get a handle on them. For you buy Skin so soft by Avon, it works great to keep the fleas away from you.

Answer 7

Could you take it to a dry cleaner and have it cleaned? How do you clean it normally? You have had to have washed it before or dry cleaned it before now haven't you? How ever you cleaned it before you can do so again- but get the cats treated before you attempt to get rid of any fleas etc... that are living in your home!Flea bombs and sprays work- but regular vacuuming is the biggest help- be sure to toss out the old vacuum bag outside as soon as your done vacuuming!

Answer 8

seal it very tightly in a garbage bag with a flea color for a couple of weeks. The lack of oxygen and the flea color will kill them. do not use flea spray or powder because then it would need washed.
After 2 weeks in the garbage bag, lay it or hang it out to air out. Then if you are not satisfied with the odor, put it in another bag for a few days with fabric softener sheets.

Answer 9

try putting it in the dryer on a low heat just until it is warm turnning it so all areas are exposed. do not get HOT just warm. Should kill the fleas and not harm the quilt. this is done for killing head lice eggs so it should work for fleas.

Answer 10

Try a experiment spot earlier than making an attempt any sort of detergent, that method you will not riun the complete duvet. If you duvet used to be handcrafted, mainly they prewash the material earlier than making it that method the additional dye is already washed out.