Government guidelines are changing rapidly as the cases of infected people are continually rising. In some places, it is instructed to maintain social distancing and to be cautious while outside. For others as well, the stay-at-home order has come into effect once more. It’s recommended you stay at least 1 meter away if you are going out for whatever reason. As soon as you get home, wash your hands thoroughly.

The coronavirus can live on surfaces up until three days and can stay viable in the air for hours. Other experts are also claiming that clothing is a low-risk carrier for the disease, germs can settle into the fibers. That’s why it is an upright practice to get rid of the clothes that you used outside and wash them the moment you get home. Below are some tips on how you can disinfect your clothes after having an exposure outside.

WEAR GLOVES

It is not required for a healthy person to use gloves when doing their own household’s laundry. However, it is recommended to wear disposable gloves in handling the dirty laundry of an ill individual. Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap if you have no gloves available. Additionally, it is also a general rule after loading the machine.

YOU SHOULD NOT SHAKE AN UNCLEAN LAUNDRY

Avoid shaking the clothes and handle your laundry gently. This will lessen the possibility of dispersing the virus through the air in case you may have been exposed to it.

USE HOT WATER SETTINGS

It makes clear that hot water is the most effective to disinfect clothes. You can wash your clothes using the warmest yet safe setting for the items and dry them completely. Nevertheless, the dirty clothes of an ill person can be washed with the items of other people.

DISINFECT THE HAMPER AND CLEAN THE LAUNDRY

The best hamper for laundry will be made of a hard surface which is easier to disinfect and wipe down with household disinfectants regularly. If possible, it is recommended that before filling you may place a bag lining into your hamper. This might both are reusable or disposable long as it’s able to be laundered as well.

COMMUNAL LAUNDRY TIPS

Apartment residents in city parts are not always so lucky about having their washing machines. In reality, lots of us are doing our loads in communal laundry places. Here are some tips to help you with your laundry safely:

• If your building has not so far communicated occupants with tips and advice for the shared laundry, you can be the one to introduce this change. You may contact the manager of your building and ask for a roster with designated laundry times to make sure that social distancing is followed too.
• After you have touched hard surfaces, clean them using disinfectant wipes. Therefore, you need to bring it with you. As soon as you are done with all of your laundries, properly wash your hands.
• Prepare your laundry before visiting the laundry room.
• Avoid shaking clothes around.