Cleaning the House

• Lice that are off the body rarely cause reinfection. (Reason: lice can't live for over 24 hours off the human body.) Just vacuum your child's room.
• Soak combs for 1 hour in a solution containing some anti-lice shampoo.
• Wash your child's sheets, blankets, pillow cases, and any clothes worn in the past 3 days in hot water (140° F kills lice and nits).
• Items that can't be washed (e.g., hats, coats, or scarves) should be set aside in sealed plastic bags for 2 weeks (the longest period that nits can survive).