Concerns about contracting COVID-19 from everyday objects have led many to question the safety of items within their own homes, like bed sheets. This article explores the scientific understanding of how the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted, its ability to survive on textiles, and proper methods for handling laundry to minimize any potential risk.
Primary Transmission of COVID-19
The principal way SARS-CoV-2 spreads is through the air. When an infected individual breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes, they release respiratory droplets containing the virus. These particles can be inhaled by people nearby, leading to infection. The concentration of these particles is highest in close-contact situations and in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
This airborne route is the dominant mode of transmission. The process involves inhaling small aerosolized particles or having larger droplets come into direct contact with mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth. Understanding this primary mechanism is foundational to contextualizing the risk from other potential pathways.
While other routes exist, the main focus of public health guidance has been on mitigating direct person-to-person spread. Activities like singing or heavy breathing during exercise can increase the expulsion of these particles. The emphasis remains on the air we breathe as the most common source of infection.
Virus Viability on Fabrics
Transmission can also occur by touching a contaminated surface, known as a fomite, and then touching one’s face, but this is not the main way the virus spreads. The virus is less stable on porous surfaces, like fabrics, compared to non-porous surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel.
Scientific studies have examined how long the virus can be detected on different materials. On non-porous surfaces, the virus can persist for several days. In contrast, on porous materials like cotton fabric, the virus becomes undetectable much more quickly, often within hours to a couple of days. The absorbent nature of fabrics like bed sheets is believed to cause viral droplets to evaporate faster, reducing the virus’s lifespan.
The half-life of the virus—the time it takes for half of the viral particles to become inactive—is generally shorter on porous surfaces. While viral RNA may be detected on fabric for a period, the presence of genetic material does not equate to infectious virus. Health organizations consider the actual risk of becoming infected from touching contaminated fabrics to be low.
Safe Laundry Practices for Contaminated Linens
When caring for someone with COVID-19 at home, specific laundry practices can manage potentially contaminated linens. It is recommended to avoid shaking dirty laundry, as this can disperse viral particles into the air. If possible, wear disposable gloves when handling soiled items and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.
For the washing process, using a standard laundry detergent is effective. Laundering items with the warmest appropriate water setting for the fabric helps disinfect them. After washing, drying the items completely on a high heat setting is also recommended, as viruses are sensitive to heat. It is safe to wash laundry from an ill person with other household items.
After the laundry is done, cleaning and disinfecting clothes hampers or baskets is a good practice. Using a disposable or washable liner in the hamper can also help contain germs. Routine cleaning and proper laundry hygiene are sufficient to minimize the low risk of virus transmission from fabrics.