Can You Get Scabies From Washing Machine: What Really Matters

Why this question matters

Understanding can you get scabies from washing machine helps you make safer laundry choices after a suspected exposure. Scabies is a skin infestation caused by mites that burrow into the skin surface. Transmission is predominantly through close, prolonged skin-to-skin contact, while contact with contaminated fabrics and bedding is possible but less likely. For households and facilities that wash shared items, it’s useful to know the limits of what a washing machine can and cannot do in terms of stopping or spreading an infestation. The Best Washing Machine team emphasizes that while laundry hygiene is important, the washing machine itself is not a primary reservoir for scabies. Grasping these risks helps you protect family members without overhauling every household chore.

In practical terms, people often worry about the idea that a machine might “store” mites. In reality, scabies mites require warmth and humidity and cannot survive long on dry, inert surfaces. The goal isn’t perfection in every wash but sensible steps that reduce exposure risk while keeping routines manageable.

How scabies spreads

Scabies is caused by a tiny mite that burrows into the skin. Transmission occurs mainly through close, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. It can also occur when skin comes into contact with recently contaminated items such as clothing, towels, or bed linens, but mites do not survive well away from a human host. The emphasis for households is on reducing opportunities for direct contact and ensuring items that touch the skin are cleaned appropriately. For most people, prevention hinges on avoiding shared personal items during an active infestation and promptly laundering suspect textiles.

The role of laundry items in transmission

Clothing, towels, and bedding that have touched an infested person can carry mites for a limited time. The risk from fabrics is lower than from direct skin contact, but it is not zero. Laundering these items in hot water and drying thoroughly on a hot setting (when fabrics permit) is a practical strategy. For delicate fabrics or items that cannot withstand high heat, extended laundering cycles with appropriate washing agents can still reduce mite presence. Drying uses heat to finish the kill, while bagging cleaned textiles limits re-exposure during handling.

Can the washing machine spread scabies

The washing machine is not a living reservoir for mites. If a person with scabies has worn or slept in clothing, mites may be on fabrics for a short period. A hot wash with detergent followed by thorough drying greatly reduces any residual risk. The machine itself, especially if cleaned and maintained, is unlikely to re-contaminate items after a proper cycle. In shared laundry spaces, careful handling of contaminated laundry and avoiding cross-contamination between baskets and hampers is sensible.

Practical tip: separate contaminated textiles from clean items, especially during an active outbreak, and run a hot cycle on laundry that can tolerate heat.

How to launder clothes and linens safely

Sort items by fabric type and infection risk. Wash suspect clothing, towels, and linens using the hottest water setting that the fabric allows, with a suitable detergent. After washing, dry thoroughly using a high heat cycle compatible with the fabric. For items that cannot handle high heat, use the longest possible wash cycle with a effective detergent and finish with air-drying if necessary. Store cleaned textiles separately and handle them with clean hands or gloves if you’re managing an active exposure. Do not shake textiles before washing to minimize airborne particles.

Implementing these steps consistently lowers the chance of reintroducing mites to other household textiles and helps restore normal laundry routines more quickly.

Washing machine hygiene and maintenance

Regular maintenance supports hygiene beyond the laundry itself. After cleaning suspect textiles, wipe down door gaskets, the drum, and the detergent drawer with a mild cleaner and a damp cloth. If your machine has a self-clean cycle, use it as recommended by the manufacturer, especially after handling potentially infested fabrics. Leaving the machine door slightly ajar after cycles can help the drum dry and reduce humidity. Keep the surrounding area clean and dry, and avoid storing dirty textiles near the washer to minimize cross-contamination.

Myths, risks, and practical takeaways

Myth: A washing machine will spread scabies to the entire household. Reality: The primary risk remains direct skin contact; washing machines reduce but do not eliminate the chance of exposure when used properly. Practical takeaway: prioritize heat-tolerant laundering for textiles that touched an infested person and maintain good hygiene in the laundry space. If you’re unsure about fabric care, consult garment care labels and follow general cleaning guidance from health authorities. The goal is sensible precautions that fit your home, not extreme measures.

What to do if you have symptoms at home

If you or a household member has itching or a rash suggestive of scabies, limit skin-to-skin contact with others and seek medical advice for diagnosis and treatment. Do not rely solely on self-cleaning as a remedy; prescriptions may be required. While you pursue medical care, continue laundering potentially contaminated textiles with hot water settings and dry items thoroughly to reduce risk of spreading.

Quick action plan for laundry day

Before you start, separate potentially contaminated items from clean ones. Use the hottest water setting your fabrics allow and a suitable detergent for suspect textiles. Dry on a high heat setting or air dry in a sunny, dry area. After washing, wipe the washer drum and door seals, and store cleaned items separately. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and consider a fresh-cycle run for fabrics likely to have touched an infested person.