The presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, on household surfaces is a concern, particularly regarding items frequently handled by children, such as stuffed animals. This concern centers on fomite transmission, where an infection is passed through contact with a contaminated object. The duration the virus can remain viable on a surface depends on the material’s physical properties, which dictates the level of risk associated with a plush toy.
Understanding Fomite Transmission and Porous Surfaces
The risk of contracting an infection from a contaminated surface, or fomite, is a secondary route of transmission compared to inhaling respiratory droplets or aerosols. Surface materials are categorized as either non-porous (such as plastic and metal) or porous (which includes fabrics, cloth, and the material covering a stuffed animal). Non-porous surfaces allow viral particles to remain intact and infectious for longer periods because moisture is retained on the surface.
Porous materials, however, absorb the moisture-rich droplets that contain the virus, which facilitates rapid drying and degradation. The porous nature of fabric wicks away the liquid, destabilizing the virus’s structure and accelerating its inactivation. This mechanism explains why soft surfaces present a lower theoretical risk of transmission compared to hard, smooth surfaces. The virus is much less likely to be transferred in an infectious state from a soft, dry surface once it has settled into the fibers.
Measured Viability of SARS-CoV-2 on Fabric
Scientific studies on the viability of SARS-CoV-2 on textiles consistently show that the infectious virus rapidly loses its ability to cause infection on porous surfaces. While the genetic material (RNA) of the virus may be detectable for up to a day or more, the ability of the virus to successfully infect a cell, known as infectivity, declines much faster. On materials like cotton, the amount of infectious virus can be significantly reduced within just four hours. Other research has demonstrated that the infectious virus may not be viable on materials such as cotton and polyester within 30 minutes of contamination. The exact survival time varies based on factors like the specific fabric type, temperature, and humidity, but the overall conclusion is that the risk from a stuffed animal is low.
Practical Steps for Cleaning Stuffed Animals
For caregivers seeking to sanitize soft toys, the most effective cleaning method is machine washing with detergent. Most stuffed animals are machine-washable and should be laundered according to the manufacturer’s instructions, using the warmest appropriate water setting. Placing the plush toy inside a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase before washing helps to protect its shape during the cycle.
Following the wash, it is important to dry the item completely, ideally using a high-heat setting, as heat further aids in viral inactivation. For items that cannot be submerged, such as those with non-removable electronic components, hand washing with warm, soapy water is recommended. The surface can be wiped down with a cloth dipped in the solution, rinsed with a clean damp cloth, and then allowed to air dry fully.
A simple, passive method for items that cannot be washed is to isolate them for a short period. Based on the rapid decay of the virus on porous surfaces, setting the toy aside for 72 hours ensures that any residual virus has naturally degraded. This quarantine period eliminates the need for harsh chemical disinfectants, which should be avoided on items that children may put in their mouths.