The salvation of the drowning is the work of the drowning themselves. I think this expression is quite relevant in the context of the spread of coronavirus infection. No outsider will be able to resist her pressure, and the chances of contracting covid-19 will be significantly reduced if everyone takes an active position in the fight against potential infection and disinfects clothes from coronavirus at home.
The greatest danger is direct communication with the patient. Moreover, the virus can already be transmitted from when it still does not consider itself sick, i.e. He hasn't shown any symptoms yet.
No less danger threatens from various substances and objects on which, perhaps, an insidious microorganism nests. These include not only hair and skin, but also dishes, clothes, shoes, bedding.
Clinical studies show that coronavirus can be present on surfaces for several hours or several days, depending on the material.
Coronavirus on clothes
Experts have calculated that clothing is good at retaining aerosol particles released when coughing or sneezing.And although the infection is not able to live on clothes for a long time - literally 2-3 minutes, until the particles evaporate, this couple of minutes may be enough to sink inside the body. And if you wash things, does the coronavirus die when washing clothes?
Recommended washing frequency
If your usual schedule calls for weekly laundry, then the pandemic dictates its terms here too. Experts recommend sending clothes to the washing machine whenever you return from crowded places.
Among other things, you should not forget about the following precautions:
- be sure to change clothes, returning from the street, in home clothes;
- it is not necessary to wash the outfit if you have not been in contact with the patient or in the focus of infection. It is only necessary to wash your hands in accordance with all the rules, remove disposable protective equipment (mask and gloves) and properly dispose of them;
- things are subject to mandatory washing after close contact, say, with public transport passengers, and especially if someone nearby sneezed or coughed;
- clothes, especially dirty and clean, should not lie in the same pile;
- make it a rule to wash bedding and towels at least twice a week. During a pandemic, it is generally recommended to use disposable wipes;
- the same applies to outerwear. You can, if not completely wash the jacket, then at least wipe its sleeves with antiseptics, because it is they who most often voluntarily or involuntarily have to come into contact with surrounding objects and people.
WARNING
In no case should you treat clothes with Lysol: it can only kill bacteria, but it does not work on viruses.
Necessary tips before washing
- All manipulations with the washing machine must be done with disposable gloves, each time throwing them away.
- Reusable gloves should only be used to clean and disinfect surfaces “infected” with COVID-19. They should not be used for any other domestic purposes. After removing your gloves, wash your hands thoroughly.
- If you had to mess with dirty laundry without gloves - see previous paragraph.
- Shaking dirty laundry is highly discouraged due to the unhindered dispersion of viruses in the air.
- When washing, set the washing machine to the highest possible temperature.
- After completing the washing process, wipe dry all parts of your washing unit.
- Be sure to clean and disinfect the dirty clothes basket.And best of all, keep things in a disposable container or one that can be wiped down or washed.
Temperature
Disinfecting clothes from coronavirus at home, of course, first of all involves washing. It must be borne in mind that there is no need to boil the laundry. Studies have shown that coronavirus loses its activity in ten minutes if the water temperature is +56 degrees, and if it is above 60, then this takes about four minutes. It will be higher - it will be better.
The washing machine should be turned on for a longer cycle using an extra rinse.
washing powder
Some experts, in their recommendations on how to wash clothes during coronavirus, emphasizing the need to wash clothes regularly and in hot water, pay attention to the washing powder used in this case, adding that it is best if it is with bleach - this is a guarantee of destruction of the coronavirus.All chlorine-containing substances are also effective, including the usual bleach, as well as alkaline, i.e. laundry soap can also disinfect things.
What if you are sick with covid at home?
If a coronavirus patient is being treated at home, their clothes and underwear should be stored separately, following disinfection measures, in specially allocated baskets or bags, and washed regularly. How to wash clothes of a patient with coronavirus? The person caring for the sick, loading his clothes into the washing machine, should use a mask and rubber gloves.
As soon as the washing process is over, the clothes must be immediately removed from the machine, since the moisture and heat existing in the drum provoke the rapid spread of harmful microorganisms.
It is preferable to dry washed items in the sun, if possible.
We destroy the infection in the washing machine
The washing machine can inadvertently serve as a breeding ground for infection. The most favorable places for her are those where water remains: a tank, a tray, a filter, an area under the cuff.It should become a rule: after washing contaminated clothes, the machine should be cleaned every time, wiped with a dry cloth and disinfected.
This does not pose any difficulties. Wipe the hatch door, the “front” wall with a soft cloth moistened with a disinfectant. Repeat the same operation, but with a dry cloth.
The sunroof glass can also be wiped with a glass cleaner.
About once a month, wash the drain filter located under the front panel of the machine, remembering to unscrew it counterclockwise. For insurance (suddenly, the rest of the water will pour out of the hole!) You need to put a rag under the car.
Rinse the filter under a water jet with detergent.It does not hurt to add Domestos to the water as a disinfectant.
It is necessary to disinfect the inside of the washing machine with special means, and bleach is not suitable here, since these means are effective only with a real threat of infection. For the same purpose, you need something more gentle, but completely disinfecting, like oxygen-containing bleaches "Velvet", "Vanish", Belle, Synergetic, which initially have disinfectant properties.
What conclusion do we come to? Experts believe that the virus is unlikely to actively spread through contaminated clothing. The safest thing is to keep a social distance, especially with people with “sounding” signs of the disease. And the risk of disease can be reduced by regular washing and indispensable frequent and thorough hand washing.
How to handle shoes
Shoes should also be disinfected, however, manipulations with it come down to simply washing its soles with soap, which should also take place in a mask and gloves. And even easier - spray a disinfectant solution containing alcohol, peroxide or vinegar on it. You can also put it in a plastic bag for a week.
