When it comes to effectively treating lice, physically removing the lice and nits from the hair is essential. Many parents who opt for DIY lice treatment often wonder about the best way to clean a lice comb during and after treating their child’s hair. In this blog post, we will provide you with simple and quick methods to clean your lice comb and rid it of viable lice and eggs. Say goodbye to lice worries with Lice Cleanse, your trusted partner in lice removal. Visit our website at licecleanse.com or call us at 303-261-6550.

Cleaning Your Lice Comb: 4 Easy Tips:

Regularly cleaning your lice comb during the treatment process is important to ensure its effectiveness. Here are four simple tips for quickly cleaning your lice comb between hair sections:

1. Under Running Water:

• Turn on the running water in an empty sink, using a drain guard to prevent the comb from falling into the drain.
• Hold the lice comb by the handle with the tines pointing downwards and rinse it under the running water.
• For a metal lice comb, rub a paper towel firmly from the handle to the tips of the tines, pressing on both sides.
• For a plastic lice comb (not recommended), use your other hand to fan the tines individually and allow the running water to flow between them.

1. In a Bowl of Water:

• Fill a large bowl or container halfway with room temperature water.
• Hold the comb by the handle with the tines pointing downwards and run your finger nail through the tines  back and forth in the water to remove loose lice eggs and bugs.
• Wipe the comb firmly on a stack of paper towels placed on a table, cleaning both sides from the handle to the tips.
• Discard the contents of the bowl, including lice, down the drain once you’re done combing.

1. With a Comb Cleaning Tool:

• Some lice combs come with a cleaning tool resembling a tuning fork with a string between the tines. Use this tool for a more thorough cleaning.
• Hold the dirty comb up to a light source to identify blockages (lice and eggs) between the tines.
• Working over a sink, a bowl of water, or a paper towel, slide the string of the cleaning tool between the tines with blockages, from the handle to the tips, wiping lice off the cleaning tool on a paper towel or rinsing it between passes.

1. Using Dental Floss:

• If your comb doesn’t come with a cleaning tool, you can use a dental flosser tool or loose dental floss in a similar manner.
• Hold the dental floss taut between your thumbs and forefingers, and slide it between the tines where blockages (lice) are present, all the way to the handle and back out.
• When using loose floss, it’s helpful to have someone hold up the comb while you use both hands to control the dental floss.

Disinfecting Your Lice Comb: 3 Effective Methods:

To prevent lice transmission between individuals, it’s crucial to disinfect the lice comb between heads. Here are three reliable ways to clean your lice comb and ensure it is free from lice:

1. In Hot Water:

• Follow the basic cleaning techniques mentioned earlier.
• Place the combs, brushes, and clips in a large heat-resistant container.
• Heat water on the stove or in the microwave until it begins to bubble, then pour it into the container, ensuring everything is covered with water.
• Let it soak for approximately 10 minutes, then dispose of the water (including lice) down the drain and allow the lice tools to air dry.

1. In a Dishwasher:

• Use the basic cleaning technique described above.
• Set the comb on the top rack of the dishwasher.
• Run a regular dishwasher cycle with heated drying or select a sanitization cycle to ensure the lice are killed by the hot temperature.
• Once the cycle is complete, the lice comb will be thoroughly cleaned and ready for reuse.

1. Using Rubbing Alcohol:

• Employ the basic cleaning technique outlined earlier.
• Place the combs and other lice tools in a plastic container.
• Pour regular rubbing alcohol (not drinking alcohol) over the tools until they are fully submerged.
• Let them soak for 10 minutes, then discard the used alcohol down the drain and allow the tools to air dry.

How Often Should You Clean Your Lice Comb?

During the lice treatment process for a single child, it’s advisable to wipe the comb on a paper towel after each pass through the hair strands. Occasionally, hold it up to a light source to check for blockages.

Once you notice significant blockages of lice eggs that don’t come off on the paper towel, perform one of the simple cleaning techniques mentioned above to thoroughly clean the comb and remove any remaining lice eggs.

Can You Reuse a Lice Comb?

Yes, you can reuse a lice comb for multiple treatments. The sanitizing treatments discussed above are effective in removing lice from your tools, making them safe to use again immediately. Good quality stainless steel lice combs can last for many years, making them a more eco-friendly option compared to plastic combs that may break after lice treatment.

It’s important to note that the entire lice life cycle needs to take place on a human head. Lice that are off the head for more than 24 hours will die, whether they are on combs or any other surface. Lice eggs are also non-viable once they are removed from a child’s hair. They cannot reattach or hatch elsewhere.

Conclusion:

To effectively eliminate lice and their eggs, thorough cleaning of your lice comb is essential. Lice Cleanse is here to provide you with a friendly in-home lice removal service, ensuring a hassle-free and effective lice treatment experience. Book your appointment today by visiting our website at licecleanse.com or calling us at 303-261-6550. With our expertise and guaranteed results, you can bid farewell to lice worries. Trust Lice Cleanse for all your lice removal needs.