We have a small portable washing machine that my girlfriend uses for her more delicate things but I don't think she uses hot water (I don't think the water from the bath is over 60c anyway?)
I just checked our cave and noticed the people next to our unit have drastically reduced the things they had and put plastic bags around everything. Either it's from new people who moved in (don't think so, there's supposed to be people moving in on the 1st December) or they had a bug problem... Will need to talk with the concierge tomorrow to find out if anyone had problems recently.
I'm unsure if I should put a note up to warn others that we have bed bugs? What would you think if you returned home to a note on the lift saying one apartment has bed bugs, check your own bed to be sure you don't have it too?
The 30° stuff is much more delicate.
I'd be very careful about washing that at higher temperatures and rather put it in a very cold freezer for a week and then wash it again.
26 bags were sent to be frozen, forgot to put 2 rugs that we had next to the bed so we'll probably throw them out if A+A Desinfection says they can't completely assure they would be cleaned of all bugs from whatever they use for spray/fumigation... :/ we could have put them in a bag each and been fine but we forgot.
So they have to come again... And we plan to change the bed frame as they said our rack type system can cause problems. However I have no idea what type of bed would be better?
http://www.bedbugcentral.com/bedbugs...nd-box-spring-
encasements
[I bought and they're very good: [http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Defense-...s+encasements]](http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Defense-System-Waterproof-Encasement/dp/B005OLK55A/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1418643875&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=bed+bug+mattress+encasements])
You should also place Bed bug traps under all the feet of your bed frame:
http://www.amazon.com/Climbup-Insect...449078-0846530
this will help you determine if bed bugs are coming TO your bed from somewhere else or living IN your bed...or, worst case, both.
Our problem surfaced in the summer, so I was able to place a lot of stuff in black garbage bags, seal them up and place them in the sun for 10 days or so. That worked. I washed everything I could in very hot water. I don't know how hot, but as hot as I could go. Some stuff, I simply threw out. You need to approach things like you're dealing with an environmental waste site: wear gloves, place things into plastic bags where they lie--don't carry them through your house. Seal the bag before you walk away. All the laundry you do should be treated in this manner. The bags should remain sealed until you are ready to place the contents into the washer and then, re-sealed...and when they've been emptied, throw them away. Place the bags OUTSIDE your house when you're done, don't let them lie around inside until trash pickup day. Wash your hands a lot. After you work with potentially contaminated articles, wash your clothes--strip in front of the washer. Assume that you and everything you touch is contaminated and disinfect accordingly. It's like working with raw chicken: you assume the worst and are hyper-vigilant about any potential cross-contamination. When you put the mattress encasements on, wipe the frame down with a solvent, I used nail polish remover. Have a look at this site:
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Bed-Bugs
and go on a crazy-diligent safari to look for evidence of bed bugs EVERYWHERE. Use a headlamp or a flashlight and a magnifying glass. And while you're doing that, wipe everything you inspect down with a solvent.
What I describe here worked for us, but we caught the problem relatively early...though not before I had more than 40 bites from my thighs down [at that point, I stopped counting]. Since it was summer, I thought we had some mosquitoes in the house, but alas that was wishful thinking.
Another tip: if/when you travel, assume that the room has bed bugs. It probably won't, but it might/could. Don't place your bags on the floor: use the racks that they supply. Place all of your dirty clothing into a sealed plastic bag. Etc.
Finally, get as much rest as you can and don't party too hard. I found dealing with a bed bug problem physically exhausting and psychologically disturbing. It's creepy to imagine nasty bugs sucking your blood, but it is even worse when your bed is violated...a place where you assume is safe but all of the sudden it isn't. It is a peculiar but very real sort of perverse torture. So, take care of yourself mentally.
And...good luck!
Your whole building needs to be done otherwise they just move into the walls and come back.
Your gf needs to selective about her shoes & handbag choices and where she hangs her coat while at the hotel, so she isn't accidentally bringing them back with her. Also, when she gets home she needs to wash herself and put her workstuff into the bathtub in plastic bags.
I think you need to kill them off and move. Throw out the main stuff in the bedroom. Seriously rugs go in the trash.
Move somewhere temporary, make sure they are gone and then move again. Buy a new bed in the new place.
This is what is worrying about Airbnb. Hotels are ready & insured for travellers with bed bugs but residential apartment buildings are not.
booking.com does not allow us to sort by review rating. Negative postings disappear to the bottom of the 100s of reviews. Tripadvisor is better.
Go door to door and find out.
Then contact the owners and try to arrange for the whole apartment block to be fumigated.