Will soap and water kill lice?

Shampooing with regular non-medicated shampoos is ineffective at removing an active infestation. Head lice are so efficient at grasping tightly onto a hair shaft that the only effective way to remove them mechanically is with a high-quality stainless steel nit comb such as the TermiNITor^®.

Washable clothing, hats, head bands, bed linen, towels and other personal items should be washed in hot (120^oF or higher) soapy water, then dried in a clothes drier for at least 20-30 minutes. Clean combs and brushes with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush then soak them for fifteen minutes in a drinking glass of isopropyl alcohol. Non-washable clothing and items such as stuffed toys can be effectively deloused simply by isolating them in a drawer or a plastic garbage bag for 7-10 days.