Scabies Cleaning Checklist [VIDEO]

Scabies is more than an itchy inconvenience. Left untreated, it spreads quickly through homes, offices, and care facilities. Follow this step-by-step cleaning checklist to stop scabies in its tracks and protect your family or staff today.

Scabies Cleaning Checklist: Protect Your Home and Workplace From Reinfection

The following checklist is designed to help mitigate the risk of scabies infestation and effectively manage an existing problem.

To completely eradicate the infestation, it's essential to combine these cleaning efforts with medical treatment, as prescribed by a healthcare professional.

 

Personal Hygiene

1. Consult a Healthcare Provider: Begin with a confirmed diagnosis and follow the prescribed medical treatment, usually topical scabicides.
2. Daily Showering: Use soap and hot water to shower at least once daily. Pay special attention to areas where mites might burrow, such as under the nails, between fingers and toes, and skin folds.
3. Change Clothes and Bedding Daily: Wear clean clothes and sleep on fresh bedding each day after starting treatment. This minimizes the risk of re-infestation.
4. Laundry: Wash all clothes, bedding, and towels used by the infested person in the past 48 hours before treatment starts, using hot water (at least 130°F or 54°C) and dry on a hot cycle for at least 30 minutes.

 

Household Cleaning

1. Vacuuming: Vacuum floors, carpets, and furniture regularly. This helps remove mites and eggs from the environment. Dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the vacuum container after each use.
2. Dusting: Use a damp cloth to dust surfaces. A dry cloth may spread mites through the air. Dispose of or wash the cloth after use.
3. Disinfect Surfaces: Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as door handles, light switches, and bathroom fixtures, using a standard household disinfectant.
4. Manage Plush Toys and Items Hard to Launder: For items that cannot be washed, seal them in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours. This period is usually enough for the mites to die.

 

Prevention Measures

1. Avoid Direct Contact: Scabies are spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. Avoid direct contact with infected individuals and their belongings until they have completed treatment.
2. Educate Family Members: All household members and close contacts should be aware of scabies symptoms and prevention measures, even if they are not currently showing symptoms.
3. Consider Prophylactic Treatment: To prevent the spread of the disease, household members and close contacts may need to be treated simultaneously with the infested person, even if they do not show symptoms.
4. Maintain a Clean Environment: Regularly clean and vacuum the house to reduce the likelihood of mite survival in the environment.
5. Personal Items: Do not share personal items such as clothing, towels, and bedding that may facilitate the spread of scabies.
6. Follow-up: Reinforce cleaning and personal hygiene measures to prevent re-infestation even after symptoms have subsided.

 

 

Note on Effectiveness

Scabies mites cannot survive more than 48-72 hours away from human skin.

Thus, focusing on cleaning items and environments exposed to the infested person within this timeframe is crucial.

Continuous and combined efforts in personal hygiene, household cleaning, and preventive measures are vital for managing and preventing scabies infestations.

 

Scabies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How long do scabies mites live on surfaces?

Scabies mites can survive on clothing, bedding, and furniture for 2 to 3 days without human contact. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of all fabrics and surfaces are essential to prevent reinfestation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).

2. Can I get scabies again after treatment?

Yes. Reinfection can occur if contact is made with untreated individuals or contaminated items. Follow the cleaning checklist carefully and ensure everyone in close contact receives treatment simultaneously (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

3. Do I need professional cleaning after scabies?

Professional disinfection services are recommended for high-traffic facilities, offices, and shared living spaces to ensure all mites and eggs are eradicated. Vanguard Cleaning Systems provides targeted scabies cleaning services tailored to your space.

4. What laundry temperature kills scabies mites?

Wash all clothing, linens, and towels in hot water (at least 130°F / 54°C). Dry on the hottest dryer cycle for at least 20 minutes to effectively kill mites and their eggs (CDC, 2020).

5. How soon can I return to work or school after treatment?

Typically, individuals can return 24 hours after starting treatment if all close contacts and household items have been properly treated or cleaned. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your case.

6. How do I clean furniture and carpets after scabies?

Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture thoroughly. Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in plastic bags for at least 72 hours to ensure mites die off (CDC, 2020).

 

References

1. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 28). Scabies - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scabies/symptoms-causes/syc-20377378
2. CDC. (2024, September 9). About Scabies. Scabies. https://www.cdc.gov/scabies/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/

 

For Assistance

Scabies can spread rapidly without proper treatment and thorough environmental cleaning.

Completing every step in this checklist reduces the risk of reinfestation and helps safeguard the health of everyone in your space.

From washing clothing and linens at high temperatures to vacuuming furniture and sealing non-washable items, each task plays a critical role in eliminating mites and their eggs.

If you’re managing a facility, office, or multi-tenant property, professional cleaning services provide an extra layer of protection.

Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley's franchise-owned commercial cleaning service providers offer deep cleaning and disinfection solutions designed to stop the spread of scabies and other infectious agents.

Our trained professionals use hospital-grade sanitizers and proven protocols to ensure every surface is safe.

Don’t wait for the problem to return—take decisive action today.

If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!

In Bakersfield, CA, call (661) 437-3253

In Fresno, CA, call (559) 206-1059

In Valencia, CA, or Santa Clarita, CA, call (661) 437-3253

In Palmdale, CA, or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756