If you want total assurance that the vintage blanket, T-shirt or fabric you bought is really sanitary, skip washing it and put it straight into the dryer. Mist your thrift store finds with a little water, then run everything on high heat for 30 minutes. This will destroy any bedbugs and bacteria, and it will help deodorize the items, too. If they are machine washable, wash them in warm water with detergent and dry with high heat. If the items came boxed or bagged, be sure to toss those packaging materials into the trash right away.
ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION