Cockroach in my suitcase

I just found a dead cockroach in a suitcase that has been closed for about a month... or even two... Is it safe for my kids to wear the clothes that stayed there for so long? I'm washing them now but don't know if I should throw stuff away or clean our clothes with any particular products before having my kids wear them. Any advice?

[FurballsMom]

As long as they're clean, and I'm assuming you're using as hot of water as the clothes will allow for, there should be nothing to worry about.  No need to panic.  It's amazing what a little soap and hot water will do.  If you're really worried, wash a second time and add white vinegar to the fabric softener cycle.  It's a natural fabric softener and vinegar is a natural disinfectant that works well on molds and fungus on surfaces, too.  I have serious allergies.  I can assure you that the clothes will not smell like vinegar.  The smell of vinegar will not linger long if you use it to clean around the house either.  You can use about 1 cup of vinegar for one load of laundry.  The clothes will actually feel fabulous.

[Myown]

That sounds like good advice Furball gave you.


I guess we have to worry that roaches might get in our luggage when staying at even the best hotels. It seems they all have this problem - especially the NYC hotels.

[alessandro_rossi1982]

FurballsMom.
Thanks a lot for the great advice.