Frequency of Laundering for Your Cozy Garments: Coronavirus Guidelines
In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, maintaining good hygiene practices is crucial to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Dr. Alok Vij, a leading expert in public health, offers some valuable insights on how to keep our clothes clean and virus-free.
Dr. Vij recommends keeping a sanitizer in your car to clean your hands after being out in public. He also suggests making the assumption that someone around you is carrying the coronavirus when you're out and about. This precautionary approach can help reduce the risk of bringing the virus back into your home.
When it comes to laundering clothes, Dr. Vij advises using detergent and warm water for washing, followed by machine drying on a high heat setting or thorough air drying with sunlight exposure. The virus doesn't live as long on clothing as it does on metal surfaces due to fabric being porous like paper. However, it's important to wash potentially contaminated clothing immediately after exposure.
Regarding different types of clothing, everyday clothes can be washed as usual after a few wears unless contaminated or soiled. Clothes worn in higher-risk settings, such as healthcare or public transport workers, should be washed after each use to minimize any potential viral presence.
Tighter-fitting garments can get stinky faster due to friction against the skin, trapping dead skin cells and oils. Sweats and jeans can go a few days between washes, as long as they're not sweaty or visibly soiled. After a day or two, spandex items should be thrown in the washer.
Dr. Vij advises that if you've been out and about, you should strip down and toss your clothes in the wash upon returning home. He also suggests peeling off outer layers of clothing, especially if someone was sneezing or coughing. It's important to stay on top of your hygiene from the moment you get in your car until the time you arrive home to stop the spread of the virus.
The washer is sufficient for killing the coronavirus on clothes, so there's no need for hot bleach water or special dryer settings. The highest heat setting on the dryer is not necessary for germ prevention. Regular laundry of household clothes remains important, but there is no evidence the virus survives long on fabrics.
These washing practices are primarily to lower general infection risk and maintain hygiene rather than responding to a high risk of coronavirus transmission via clothing. On paper, about 90% of the virus dies within an hour. The coronavirus can live for 10-12 hours on metal surfaces.
In conclusion, following Dr. Vij's advice can help keep our clothes clean and reduce the risk of bringing the coronavirus back into our homes. Regular laundry, using warm water and detergent, and drying clothes fully are key to maintaining good hygiene during these challenging times.
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