Of all the unpleasant bugs in the world, lice are arguably one of the worst. Like bed bugs or scabies, lice are also parasites that depend on the blood of their hosts for survival. And more often than not, we humans play the host. Children are frequently the victims of these tortuous pests, especially if they have nice, clean hair. By one estimate, between 6-12 million children between the ages of three and 11 fall victim to lice every year. But no one is immune. Adults can definitely get lice.
To get rid of head lice, a thorough combing with a very fine-toothed comb can sometimes be enough. But not always. While their life span may be cut seriously short, lice are surprisingly resilient and will find a way to survive, if they can. Read on to learn how to kill lice that has infested furniture and upholstery.
If you or your kids have lice, don’t miss our article explaining how to get rid of lice step by step.
Which Spray Is Best to Get Lice out of My House?
The problem that most people face when they are trying to get rid of lice on their furniture is choosing the best lice spray to use.
Some of them are so toxic that they should only be used by properly trained, licensed pest management professionals. More readily available substances may be effective, but leave a residue or powerful odor. In either case, such products are less-than-ideal for use in homes and offices—or anywhere else that people live, work, play, or sleep.
Another problem is that many of the most common lice killing products can not be used on fabric. They stain or ruin couches, carpets and curtains.
The Best Lice Spray for Furniture
So, what can you spray on your furniture to kill lice?
Sterifab is one of the only effective lice-killing products that is odor-free, non-residual and approved for use on fabrics. And it kills both lice and their eggs! Plus, it's easy to use, affordable, and leaves no trace. And you don’t have to mix dangerous chemicals. Just open and spray.
The fact is that Sterifab the only U.S. EPA-approved product that is at once a viricide, bactericide, sanitizer, insecticide, deodorant, germicide-disinfectant, mildewcide, fungicide and disinfectant on the market. In other words, it’s hard to beat when it comes to getting lice off your furniture. (And, just for the record, Sterifab will quickly kill not just lice, but also ticks, dust mites, centipedes, bed bugs, fleas, mosquitoes, ants, silverfish, roaches and firebrats.)
Using Sterifab to Get Rid of Lice
Here’s a step-by-step look at how to get rid of lice from your furniture using Sterifab.
Shake the Sterifab bottle well, before and during application. This helps ensure that the identification crystals it contains are evenly dispersed.
Point and spray.
Cover the affected area entirely, but don’t soak the fabric through.
Wait 15-20 minutes.
That’s It!
How Much Sterifab Should I Use?
The amount of Sterifab needed will vary according to the extent of the infestation and the size of the area you want to treat. However, you shouldn’t totally soak the surface of a mattress, chair, ottoman or futon. The nice thing about Sterifab is that it dries in 15-20 minutes (at room temperature) and is biodegradable. If you need to re-treat, you can easily spray again.
The size of the Sterifab container you use will, again, depend on how extensive your lice problem is. However, a typical couch or sofa will require 10-12 ounces per application. (A gallon will cover approximately 8-10 pieces of upholstered furniture, while the 5-gallon container will treat approximately 40-50 pieces.)
One final, very important, point: Sterifab should never, ever, be sprayed on people, animals, or cooking utensils. Also, it shouldn’t ever be used on wax surfaces.
More Tips for Getting Lice Out of Your Home
For best results, here are a few more tips for using Sterifab.
Take all your quilts, duvets, pillows, blankets, and other bed coverings and put them in a dryer on very high heat for at least 45 minutes.
Vacuum carpets, pillows and mattresses thoroughly, paying careful attention to seams and creases.
Vacuum and mop all floors with hot water and a powerful floor cleaner.
Gather hairbrushes, combs, headbands, scrunchies (and other hair accessories) and soak them in hot water and the lice treatment shampoo of your choice.
Place items such as bike helmets or stuffed animals in a plastic bags for at least 10 days in order to kill both lice and nits.
Finally, don’t forget your cars! Vacuum the upholstery and disinfect all surfaces with a damp cloth. Pay special attention to the headrests!