During the pandemic, many people worried whether routine laundry procedures could eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 virus from clothing. Since the virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, surfaces like fabric were a potential concern. This guidance provides clear, science-backed information on how standard home laundering effectively manages the risk of viral transmission from clothing and textiles.
Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Fabric
The risk of contracting the virus through contaminated clothing (fomite transmission) is generally lower compared to direct person-to-person spread. Scientific studies show the virus survives for a shorter duration on porous materials like fabric and paper than on non-porous hard surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel. This is because the porous nature of textiles accelerates the evaporation of virus-containing respiratory droplets, leading to faster viral inactivation.
Survival times vary depending on the fabric type. The infectious virus persists for only a few hours on materials like cotton, but potentially longer on synthetic fibers such as polyester. For instance, the virus may remain infectious on cotton for up to 24 hours, while lasting several days on non-porous surfaces. Although the infectious viral load decreases rapidly on absorbent materials, caution is necessary when handling items used by an infected individual.
Standard Washing Procedures for Elimination
Standard laundering is a highly effective method for eliminating SARS-CoV-2 from clothing, relying on chemical, thermal, and mechanical actions. The virus is enveloped, meaning it is encased in a fatty outer layer. This layer is easily disrupted by surfactants found in laundry detergents, which break down the lipid envelope, inactivating the virus and rendering it non-infectious.
The mechanical agitation of the washing machine further aids this process by physically removing viral particles from the fabric fibers and flushing them away with the water. While hot water is highly effective for thermal inactivation, the combination of detergent and agitation in a standard wash cycle is often sufficient even at lower temperatures. For maximum decontamination, especially for items from a sick person, use the warmest appropriate water setting for the fabric, ideally between 140°F (60°C) and 194°F (90°C).
Research shows the virus is highly sensitive to heat, becoming inactive within minutes at temperatures at or above 158°F (70°C). If a high temperature is not suitable for the clothing, the detergent’s chemical action and the physical removal during the wash still provide a significant reduction in viral load. The key mechanism is the destruction of the virus’s lipid layer by the detergent, combined with the physical washing away of particles.
Handling and Drying Contaminated Laundry
Practical safety measures should be taken when handling laundry that may be contaminated, particularly items from an ill person. Avoid shaking dirty laundry before placing it in the washing machine, as this can aerosolize viral particles and increase the risk of inhalation. Wearing disposable gloves is advisable when handling soiled items, and hands should be thoroughly washed immediately after the gloves are removed and the laundry is loaded.
The drying phase is a highly effective step in the decontamination process. High-heat machine drying provides sustained exposure to temperatures that efficiently inactivate any remaining viral particles. Guidelines recommend drying the items completely using the warmest appropriate setting for the fabric. Once the laundry is clean, the hamper or cart used to transport the dirty items should also be cleaned and disinfected, or a disposable liner should be used and discarded.
When to Use Disinfectants and Additives
For routine household laundry where no one is sick, standard detergent combined with a regular wash and dry cycle is fully adequate to eliminate the virus. Special chemical additives are not necessary for low-risk situations. If the laundry belongs to an infected individual, using a chemical disinfectant can offer an extra layer of protection.
Disinfectant options include chlorine bleach for white items or color-safe, oxygen-based bleach products for colored fabrics. Some commercial laundry sanitizers containing active ingredients like quaternary ammonium compounds or p-chloro-m-xylenol are also effective against SARS-CoV-2, even in cold or warm water cycles. These products are useful if the fabric cannot tolerate the highest heat settings, but always follow the product label and the clothing’s care instructions.