All over the world, people are told to stay at home and practice meticulous cleaning to prevent the coronavirus pandemic spread. Since it began, dramatic changes have upended every aspect of our lives. But, we have to follow the protocols to protect our family from COVID-19. We have to adapt to work from home setups, online classes, and mundane tasks, including laundry.
For someone who doesn’t have a washer and dryer at home, how do you handle your laundry? Are laundry services safe these days? We suggest these simple steps protect yourself while doing laundry in this trying time.
Safety Tips for Doing Laundry
“I don’t have a washing and drying machine at home. How can I safely lug our laundry bags to the neighborhood laundromat?” With COVID-19 around, our bags of laundry clothes has become a new set of concerns.
Safely handle your laundry.
First off, do not wear clothes multiple times without washing. Yes, we have to consider our clothes contaminated because we wear it wherever we go. CDC suggests that the virus can live on clothes for 2 to 3 days. Aside from clothes, do not forget to dry clean sheets, comforters, and towels frequently.
Do not shake your dirty laundry before putting it in the laundry basket. It will spread the virus. Leave your laundry untouched for a couple of days in the laundry basket. When it is time to do the laundry, avoid hugging the dirty laundry, or reduce contact with your body. CDC recommends wearing disposable gloves while handling laundry. After holding the dirty laundry, immediately throw the gloves and wash your hands.
When doing laundry?
It is better if you have a washing and drying machine in your home. You do not have to deal with other people around you. However, if you do not have a machine or share a laundry room in your building apartment, do not forget to wear PPEs such as masks and face shields. Bring alcohol with you wherever you go.
When doing laundry at home, use warm water to wash your clothes. If you are in doubt and afraid if the virus is still on their clothes, they can pre-treat their clothes with white distilled vinegar with baking soda. It does not only kill the virus. But, it can also remove unnoticeable stains on your clothes. Next, wash your clothes with laundry detergent and bleach. But, make sure that the cloth is suitable for bleach. If not, then use an alternative for one. However, the CDC did not emphasize on which laundry detergent or bleach to use.
When doing laundry, do not overstuff your clothes in the machine. It needs room to stir and use friction to remove grimes. Dry your clothes thoroughly. It will become moisty and damp that could harbor bacteria and debris.
Can I go to the laundromat?
Yes, you may. Laundromats are essential services to the local community. It is crucial for those who do not have their washing and drying machines at home. However, it is essential to practice safety measures when going to the local laundromat.
You have to observe social distancing, quickly load machines, and wait outside the laundromat or inside your car. Most laundromats have demarcation signs that instruct people to follow 6-feet apart.
Laundry facility owners discourage their customers from placing their dirty clothes in laundry carts. They recommend their to put their clothes in disposable laundry bags before placing them in the cart to avoid cross-contamination. Also, you need to wash and dry the laundry bag too, as you have to put the clean clothes inside it.
If visiting your local laundromat is risky for you, and you do not have the means to wash and dry your home clothes. You can call laundry facilities that offer laundry pickup. A concierge will stop by your house to pick up your laundry clothes. You can schedule a pickup at any time of the day.
Laundry services are extending their efforts to help people stay safe during COVID-19.
Hand Wash Clothes
If you do not have access to laundry facilities, you can hand wash your clothes at home. Do not put away the clothes if it is still damp, airdry the clothes until it is thoroughly dry. As mentioned, damp surfaces can attract debris, bacteria, or viruses.
These are some of the safety tips you could do when doing laundry during the coronavirus pandemic. We have to be cautious about the things we do, and with the people we interact with. No one is safe with the virus. Always observe precautionary measures– use PPE, practice handwashing frequently, and only go out of the house when necessary. This will pass, but for now, we have to do extra care.