The virus responsible for COVID-19 can potentially be present on clothing, but transmission risk through this route is generally considered low. The primary mode of spread involves respiratory droplets and aerosols. Understanding how the virus interacts with surfaces like fabrics helps clarify the overall risk and inform hygiene practices.
How Long the Virus Survives on Fabrics
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can remain viable on various surfaces for differing durations, with porous materials like fabrics generally being less hospitable than non-porous ones. On porous surfaces, studies indicate that infectious virus detection can become undetectable within minutes to hours. For instance, the virus might survive for less than a day on cotton and polyester, and up to a day on fake fur. In contrast, on non-porous surfaces such as stainless steel or plastic, the virus can persist for days to weeks.
Factors influencing virus survival on fabrics include the material type, temperature, and humidity. Respiratory droplets, which carry the virus, tend to dry out more quickly when absorbed by the fibers of porous materials, reducing the virus’s viability. Some studies have shown that the virus becomes inactive faster at higher temperatures. While the presence of viral genetic material (RNA) might be detectable for longer periods, this does not necessarily mean the virus is still infectious and capable of causing disease.
Understanding Transmission Risk from Clothing
While transmission through contaminated surfaces, known as fomite transmission, is possible, it is generally considered a less common route for COVID-19 infection. The risk of acquiring COVID-19 from surfaces like clothing is low to none, with some sources indicating less than a 1 in 10,000 chance from each contact with a contaminated surface.
Clothing typically poses a low risk because porous materials allow respiratory droplets to dry quickly, reducing viral viability. Additionally, transferring enough infectious virus from clothing to hands, and then to mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth), is less likely than direct respiratory transmission. There have been no documented cases of COVID-19 transmission specifically via clothing and shoes. Consistent hand hygiene after touching any potentially contaminated surfaces is more important than focusing solely on clothing.
Keeping Your Clothes Clean
To minimize any potential risk associated with clothing, simple and effective laundry practices are recommended. Regular household detergents are sufficient to clean and sanitize clothes by disrupting the virus’s outer layer. Washing items with the warmest appropriate water setting for the fabric, followed by thorough drying, helps inactivate the virus.
When handling laundry from someone who is sick with COVID-19, wearing disposable gloves and a mask is advisable, and hands should be washed thoroughly afterwards. It is also recommended to avoid shaking dirty laundry to prevent dispersing viral particles into the air. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other household items. Cleaning and disinfecting laundry hampers with a household disinfectant, or using a disposable bag liner, can further reduce potential contamination.