Wash clothes to keep virus threat at bay

It’s thought Covid-19 can remain on clothing for up to two days. So if you’re using public transport or working with others it’s a good idea to remove clothing as soon as you get home and put it in the wash. We don’t know how long the virus lives on floors and shoes, so if you’re worried take them off too. When it comes to the wash, do not shake dirty laundry before washing. This will cut the risk of dispersing the virus through the air.

You can wash clothes in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions but use the warmest water setting. There is no general health reason to separate clothes, although there may be some items you might want to wash separately at a higher temperature with a bleach-based detergent (such as biological powder for whites). These include clothes that come into contact with a lot of body fluids as they will have more germs on them, such as sportswear. Shared towels in your home can also harbour germs and could spread coronavirus. They should be washed often and at 60 degrees centigrade. If there is someone self-isolating or at risk, they should have their own towels.

Don’t forget to dry laundry thoroughly. Germs like moist areas and will spread there if they get a chance to. Once you’ve finished the laundry it’s important to clean the outside of your washing machine and any containers used to carry the laundry in. Remember to wash your hands often to prevent the spread of germs. And don’t forget to clean or replace your cleaning utensils too. Using the same cloths and sponges over and over again can spread the germs around other surfaces.