One of the main recommendations against the coronavirus of the health authorities and the WHO is that we cough in our arm or forearm before we cough in the hand or any surface. Consequently, what we are wearing also needs a thorough cleaning. Find out now how to disinfect clothes to avoid coronavirus. How to disinfect clothes in the washing machine?
Tips for disinfecting your clothes in the washing machine
In addition to knowing how to disinfect the house or how to wash your hands , knowing how to disinfect clothes in the washing machine can also help can help in preventing infections.
How to disinfect clothes and eliminate Covid-19 from them
At the moment, it is not known with certainty how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on a surface. However, it seems that it can stay from a few hours to several days, depending on the type of area, the temperature or the humidity of the environment.
For this reason, disinfecting the clothes that we wear and on which, perhaps, we cough or sneeze on, is even more important. Since the main route of spread of COVID-19 is respiratory secretions. Therefore, the virus that causes this disease can stay on clothing, just like other germs or mites .
It is essential to know how to disinfect the clothes we wear. Fabrics such as paper should not contaminate, since they are porous surfaces that trap the virus and adhere it. However, even if it is inactive, it is not completely eliminated and could survive for up to three days.
From the WHO they recommend: “If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with a common disinfectant to kill the virus and thus protect yourself and others. Wash your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant or with water and soap. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose. “
The quarantine imposed for health reasons has restricted our movements and, therefore, has caused us to go out less frequently. When we do, we run the risk of contaminating the clothes we wear. For this reason, it is advisable to follow some recommendations on how to disinfect clothes in the washing machine without bleach when you get home. The fewer risks run, the greater the security.
This standard should be applied especially in the process of disinfection of coloured clothing since this type requires greater care. For coloured clothing, the use of bleach and high temperatures should be avoided, since these factors accelerate their deterioration and discolouration.
Tips for cleaning your clothes in the washing machine
- It is advisable not to shake the clothing before putting it in the washing machine. Doing so can spread the virus through the air and cause it to reach other surfaces.
- Wash with long programs and plenty of hot water. The recommended temperature for washing is 60º, as long as the garments allow it. With this temperature, we make sure that any virus or germ disappears.
- If the clothes cannot withstand temperatures of more than 30º, about 50 millilitres of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bicarbonate, lemon or tea tree can be added to the softener compartment of the washing machine. Care must be taken that these products do not damage fabrics.
- Avoid very large loads and, if possible, only wash clothes that have been used outside the home. The fewer clothes, the more space you have to shake properly.
- It is convenient to use more detergent than usual in each wash, using a granular or high resistance liquid. They better retain suspended dirt and remove debris more effectively. In case of extreme dirt or contact with chemical products, it is recommended to use special disinfectants such as bleach.
- A key to how to sanitize clothes is found in washing the washing machine. The interior must be pristine and, although there are specific products for this, it can also be cleaned with vinegar and bleach. Both substances are mixed and passed through the interior of the washing machine with a clean cloth. As for the rubber of the washing machine, a cloth with bleach or ammonia is enough to disinfect.
- The detergent compartment can be a sink for pathogens, so it is recommended after each use disassemble it and soak it for five minutes in vinegar, and dry it.
Other methods to disinfect your clothes
- Another method of disinfecting clothing is to boil it in water for thirty minutes.
- The shoes should not be taken exceptional measures, although it is always advisable to remove them from entering the home. At the same entrance, they should be disinfected using a damp cloth with a dilution of bleach and water. It is necessary to avoid at all costs walking with them through the rest of the house before carrying out the disinfection.
- For household clothes, extreme precautions should also be taken and washed more often during confinement. For example, towels need to be changed every two days and bedding every three days.
After washing, the clothes should be well disinfected and clean from Covid-19. If you have a dryer, it is recommended to use it at a high temperature. Another option is to press the clothes with a hot iron after washing. This is especially useful for cotton garments or bedding, to influence disinfection. In the same way, you can hang it outdoors and let the sun dry it.