How to wash your clothes to get rid of those germs

With the coronavirus pandemic spreading, we are required to take more and more precautions to keep ourselves and our families safe. Several Gazette readers questioned whether this or any other virus can survive on surfaces like our clothes. The answer is an emphatic YES. Viruses and germs can live on surfaces for extended periods, including clothing fibres. Washing your clothes thoroughly is, therefore, highly recommended. The action of washing your clothes combined with the active ingredients in the soap-like surfactants help to remove the virus from the clothing fibres. “If you have come into contact with someone who may be infected, or if you have been in a position where the virus could have been transferred to your clothes, it is very important to make sure that they are hygienically clean and virus-free to stop the spread,” says Sarah Webb, brand manager for the laundry brand, Personal Touch.

“When washing your clothes to make sure they are virus-free, there are no new tricks or methods that need to be implemented; just a few small changes to your current laundry regime,” says Webb.

Here is some advice:

1. Don’t fill the washing machine with too many clothes as the detergent needs to be able to penetrate all your clothing. If too many clothes are being washed, the dirt and germs will re-deposit on the fibres and not be washed away.

2. Don’t increase the amount of detergent you use. Using the correct amount of detergent for your washing machine is critical to ensure optimal cleaning. Detergent molecules work by attaching themselves to the dirt and germs on your fibres and lifting the dirt from them. Too much detergent will leave a residue, which will serve as a breeding ground for more germs.

3. Choose the highest temperature cycle that your clothes can withstand. High temperatures enhance cleaning and killing germs; ideally, a temperature of 60°c will suffice. Washing your clothes at the preferred temperature of 30°C is not going to help when making sure your clothes are virus-free. This temperature may be economical and suitable for delicate clothing, but it is not ideal for disinfection. Always follow the washing instructions on the care label to make sure your clothing does not get damaged.

4. If you are not able to wash your clothing at such a high temperature, hanging your clothes out in the sun can also aid in the eradication of germs. UV rays are a natural and potent anti-germ and antiviral agent. If your clothes are still clean and don’t need to be added to the laundry load, airing them is a good hygiene practice.

5. Heat disinfects and kills germs, so, if you have a tumble dryer, use it. Not only does it dry your clothes, but it smoothes out wrinkles. Ironing your clothes is another tip for killing germs. Due to the high temperature of the iron, nothing much can survive. Again, it is important only to tumble dry and iron clothes that are made of fibres that can withstand high temperatures.

6. Some fabric fibres are more porous than others and can retain more water droplets. Fabrics like polyester and spandex-like materials may keep germs longer than breathable cotton-based fabrics.

“Although some fabrics can retain germs for longer, all fabrics are susceptible and should be washed regularly,” says Webb. Make sure your clothes are completely dry before packing them away.

7. Keep your machine clean to stop the spread of germs. Run the cleaning cycle on your machine at least once a month to get rid of the build-up of germs and bacteria that may lurk in the drum, drainage pipes, etc. Washing your clothes to rid them of potential virus contami- nation is of very little use when the machine itself is not clean.

8. If you are still working from the office, change your clothes when you get home as a precaution to keep yourself from getting sick and spreading germs to the rest of your household. If you use public transport and you are not well and have been coughing into your elbow all day, these clothes will also need to be washed immediately.