Lice on Mattress & Bedding: Prevention & Removal - Expert Advice

Lice do not typically stay in bedding or on a mattress. They move from person to person through close head contact.

Head lice cannot live more than 24 hours after falling off a person's head. So, while it's possible for lice to crawl onto your bedding and infest it temporarily, they won't be able to stay there and spread infestation.