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How To Do Laundry Safely During a Pandemic

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In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health experts and infectious disease doctors alike continue to encourage the importance of social distancing, face covering, hand washing, and disinfecting everyday items, such as clothing. But what measures can you take at home or at the laundromat to protect yourself and slow the spread?

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting

The process of cleaning involves physically removing dirt and germs from surfaces and textiles. While diligent cleaning will help reduce the risk of spreading viral and bacterial spores, it will not kill or eliminate them entirely.
 
Other the other hand, disinfection is a more specific process that requires the use of chemical agents to kill germs, viruses and bacterial spores.. Disinfecting hard surfaces and textiles after cleaning will further reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as COVID-19, and other viruses.

Washing Laundry at Home

  • Wear gloves when handling laundry.
  • Wash clothing and linens in the washer with laundry detergent. Be sure to use a detergent that contains bleach for white/ bleach-safe items or bleach alternative for colored or mixed loads.
  • Choose the hottest wash cycle available. The World Health Organization, WHO recommends water temperatures between 140–194°F.
  • Check garment care labels and separate items that suggest lower temperature cycles such as silks, rayons, and other delicates.
  • Dry all items on a medium to high heat tumble cycle for at least 30-40 minutes uninterrupted.
  • Separate items that require low heat or air drying.
  • Disinfect laundry baskets with household surface disinfectant spray cleaner and wipe dry before reusing.
  • Wash hands with warm water and soap immediately after removing the gloves.
  • If gloves are not available, wash the hands immediately after handling dirty clothing and avoid touching the face.
  • Repeat for each load.

Washing Laundry at a Laundromat

We understand not everyone has space or resources to do laundry at their home. In addition to the above guidelines, consider these extra measures and precautions when doing laundry at a public laundromat:
  • Maintain at least 6 feet distance from other patrons.
  • Wear a face cover/ mask.
  • Wear disposable gloves.
  • Wash your hands (an/or replace gloves) after touching surfaces.
  • Disinfect the inside surfaces of the washer and dryer with a household surface cleaner.
  • Fold the laundry at home. (Or alternatively, disinfect the folding surface with a household surface disinfectant spray.)
  • At home, immediately wash your hands before folding or handling the laundry.
  • Disinfect your laundry basket and/or hamper.
 

What Laundry Care Does to Ensure Your Health & Safety

We take your health and safety very seriously at our Laundry Care processing locations. We’ll pick up your laundry, clean it, and deliver it back to you – no contact required. 
  • All pickups and deliveries are contactless.
  • All drivers and laundry handlers will wear gloves when handling dirty laundry as an added precaution.
  • While on routes, drivers will use sanitary measures between each pickup & delivery.
  • Drivers communicate with clients to coordinate safe, non-contact pickups and deliveries.
  • As always, each client’s laundry is washed, dried and folded separate from all other laundry.
  • Per usual protocol, drivers and laundry handlers wash hands before handling any laundry.
  • Laundry machines, folding surfaces, hampers, baskets, etc. are sanitized between each load.
  • Reusable laundry bags are cleaned after each use and returned with the same client’s laundry
  • Clean laundry is returned in sealed plastic bags.
Ready to be Laundry-Free? Let us take laundry OFF your list quickly and safely.
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