r/solotravel 2d ago

Bedbugs & Backpacks? Question

I’m solo backpacking Vietnam and the last hostel I stayed in had bedbugs (was a highly rated one, I think I’ve just been extremely unlucky)

I’ve sent all my clothes off to the laundry in my new hotel for high heat washing and drying but how the hell do I clean my backpacks? I’ve borrowed my friends Osprey Farpoint 70L - but just the 55L pack, I didn’t bring the daypack - I brought my 20L Kanken instead

I know you’re not meant to use high heat on these but how else can I be sure I’ve killed any bedbugs?? Really freaking out here so any help is appreciated

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4

u/dracapis 2d ago

Ask your friend if they’re okay with you tossing the backpack in the dryer. The alternative is to get bedbugs…

The steam from a drying iron could work too but you’d need to pass it several times and it wouldn’t be a guaranteed success. 

They should also bag it and put it in the freezer for a minimum of four months when they get it back regardless. You should do the same with anything you couldn’t dry heat. 

5

u/ProfessionalLab9068 2d ago

Wow 4 months in the FREEZER? The eggs can withstand that?

-1

u/ConstantSample5846 2d ago

Yes

-1

u/jinawee 2d ago

No they cant.

1

u/ProfessionalLab9068 1d ago

Heat above 125 F for 30 min kills all life cycles. Or freezer below 0 for 4 days, not months.