The Hack
Doing the laundry is an effective way to kill fleas. Both the washer and the dryer are effective.
In the washing machine, detergent breaks the surface tension of the fleas causing them to drown. If the water is hot, this increases effectiveness (especially above 140°F) with the heat killing eggs and larvae too.
The agitation of the washing machine is important to physically remove the fleas, especially the hard-to-kill pupae which can be buried deep within clothing. When the wash cycle completes, the water washes away any adults, eggs, larvae or pupae which have been jostled free, whether living or dead.
Washing alone makes a big difference, and is helpful even for items that can't be put in the dryer. But the dryer is truly a scorched earth treatment for any item. The high heat kills all stages of the flea life cycle. If the temperature is above 120° for at least half an hour, no fleas should survive.
In the washing machine, detergent breaks the surface tension of the fleas causing them to drown. If the water is hot, this increases effectiveness (especially above 140°F) with the heat killing eggs and larvae too.
The agitation of the washing machine is important to physically remove the fleas, especially the hard-to-kill pupae which can be buried deep within clothing. When the wash cycle completes, the water washes away any adults, eggs, larvae or pupae which have been jostled free, whether living or dead.
Washing alone makes a big difference, and is helpful even for items that can't be put in the dryer. But the dryer is truly a scorched earth treatment for any item. The high heat kills all stages of the flea life cycle. If the temperature is above 120° for at least half an hour, no fleas should survive.
Limitations
Many of the items in greatest need for washing, such as bedding and blankets, are not able to be put in the dryer. This means there's a chance a small number of fleas could survive (most likely the pupae).
Once bedding is put back on the bed, it can very quickly be reinfested, so it's a good idea to wash everything daily.
Obviously many items in the house can't go through the wash at all, so this isn't a cure-all.
Once bedding is put back on the bed, it can very quickly be reinfested, so it's a good idea to wash everything daily.
Obviously many items in the house can't go through the wash at all, so this isn't a cure-all.
Goes well with
Most of the items that can't be put in the wash can be hit with the vacuum. Daily Deep Vacuuming and laundry will take a huge bite out of any flea problem.