Originally Posted by Maia B
One should also be careful of bedbugs when bringing used items, especially clothes, linens, and fabrics in. They can live without hosts/food for 1.5 years. Only extreme heat (not ordinary washing) and harsh chemicals can kills them and their eggs. They are very difficult and expensive to get rid of. Once your home is invaded, you'll end up spending thousands of dollars and throwing out thousands of dollars worth of household goods. The psychological stress is also considerable. I would only bring in used fabric items if I could first take then to a laundromat to wash and dry on high heat for two hours. Hardly worth it, IMO. For blocks, I guess I'd press each one well on high heat. They are all over the US, epidemic in some areas. Very upscale hotels have been affected. Treating a single hotel room costs thousands. Do some research. I hate to be a kill-joy, but they are a nightmare.
this is my reason all of my fabric regardless of origin goes into the washer and then dried on high for 30 minutes. (recommended time)If I cannot get to it right away, I will sometimes toss it into the freezer until I can or just leave it on the porch. I had one of my best friends just give me three bags of beautiful print sheets, and even they went into the wash. scary little boogers they are!!!