COVID-19: Laundry at Home

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Home all day, every day. Somehow, the laundry pile becomes a mountain even if we’re not going anywhere. Let’s talk laundry during coronavirus. You’ve probably had a thought cross your mind about whether you should clean off your packages before you come in the house or if that quick walk with your dog could’ve contracted coronavirus. You may be worried that you might have come into contact with an infected person. How do you do your laundry effectively to get rid of coronavirus? We have all the answers! If you have read our last article on protecting your home from COVID-19, check it out here.

Should I make any changes to my laundry routine?

Routine cleaning is necessary to eliminate the virus. Up your laundry schedule if you go out for a daily walk/run. If you’re not able to do your laundry right away, make sure to place your clothing in a sealed bag (i.e. garbage bag) or hamper for a day or so. Make sure to sanitize the hampers. Our Clean laundry bags will work and they receive a cleaning every time they come into HQ. Wear disposable gloves when handling the dirty laundry, and wash your hands after, especially when handling an infected person’s clothing. Remember, don’t shake the clothing!

Is my washing machine and dryer enough?

Is it getting hot in herre? Should we take off all our clothes? Nelly knows. As we mentioned earlier, high temperatures will eliminate flu viruses on clothing. If you have been infected or have come in contact with the virus, your clothing is high-risk to your home. We strongly recommend sending in your clothing to us at Clean for proper cleaning. Normal washers and dryers do not reach the temperature necessary to do so. Your washing machine’s “HOT” setting reaches about 130 degrees but always finishes with a cold rinse; dryers reach a maximum of 135 degrees.

Don’t forget to clean the machines!

To avoid contaminating your garments with the machine itself, clean the drum on a biweekly to avoid any build-up of bacteria or mold. You can do this by pouring in a cup of vinegar.

I may have come into contact with an infected person. What temperature should my washing machine/dryer be at to take care of it?

We can’t reiterate this enough: If you have come into contact with an infected person, it’s better to send your clothing and linens to us at Clean for proper cleaning. If you’re unable to send in your clothing and linens to us, use the “HOT” temperature setting. When drying, use the hottest temperature setting possible. When pressing or steaming clothing, use a hot steam press. When in doubt, send in clothing for proper cleaning.

If you haven’t been in contact with anyone, your normal washer and dryer will be sufficient. Remember - even if you’re going to Trader Joe’s, you may have been in contact without knowing or showing symptoms.

Specific Temperatures

If you have high-risk clothing, it must be washed at a temperature of 135-150 degrees to kill coronavirus. The most important part of the laundry cycle is the actually drying process. The dryer heat will kill bacteria while the washer creates a damp, enclosed space for bacteria to spread. Check your washing machine and dryer specs to see if it reaches the proper temperature. If it doesn’t, send in your clothing.

If you’re worried about whether your washer/dryer are cutting it, we’ve got you covered from head to toe, floor to ceiling. If you have any questions or concerns about the handling of your clothing or linens, read about our safety protocols here. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about a specific garment or area in your home.