18 Apr How to Disinfect Laundry After a Flu or Virus at Home

When illness hits your household, disinfecting laundry becomes just as important as disinfecting surfaces. Germs and viruses can linger on clothing, towels, and bedding, increasing the risk of reinfection or spreading the illness to others. So, if you want to disinfect laundry after illness, it’s crucial to follow the right steps. This guide will walk you through how to keep your laundry germ-free, safely and effectively.

Why You Need to Disinfect Laundry After Illness

Illness doesn’t just affect the person who’s unwell—it can linger around the home in unexpected ways. One of the most overlooked carriers of germs is your laundry. Clothes, towels, pillowcases, and bedding can hold onto viruses and bacteria long after symptoms disappear. That’s why you must disinfect laundry after illness to prevent reinfection and keep everyone in the household safe.

When someone coughs or sneezes, droplets can land on their clothing or bedding. Additionally, sweat, mucus, and skin contact can all transfer germs to fabrics. These viruses, especially flu and norovirus, can survive on soft surfaces for hours or even days. Therefore, simply washing these items with detergent at low temperatures won’t eliminate the threat.

Moreover, if you mix contaminated items with the rest of your laundry, you risk spreading the illness to other family members. Fortunately, with the right temperature, cleaning products, and washing method, you can disinfect laundry after illness effectively and break the chain of transmission.

In short, don’t underestimate how powerful clean laundry can be in stopping the spread of viruses. Pay attention to your wash routine, especially during cold and flu season, and treat laundry as part of your overall illness-fighting strategy.

Step-by-Step: How to Disinfect Laundry After Illness

Let’s break it down step by step, so you can clean with confidence.

• Separate Contaminated Laundry Immediately: Don’t let soiled clothing or bedding pile up. As soon as someone uses an item, place it in a separate, lined laundry basket or bag. Always handle it with disposable gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after touching it.
• Use Hot Water When Possible: Choose the hottest water temperature suitable for the fabric. Hot water (60°C or above) kills most viruses and bacteria effectively. Always check care labels, but remember: it’s better to disinfect laundry after illness than to risk spreading infection.
• Add a Laundry Sanitiser: Regular detergent alone might not kill all viruses. Add a laundry sanitiser or bleach that’s safe for fabrics to your wash. Make sure it’s labelled as antibacterial or antiviral and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Dry Thoroughly on High Heat: Air drying doesn’t eliminate viruses. To disinfect laundry after illness, use a tumble dryer on the highest heat the fabric can handle. If line drying is your only option, iron the items once dry to add an extra layer of disinfection.
• Clean the Washing Machine Afterwards: After you’ve disinfected a load, run an empty hot cycle with a washing machine cleaner or a cup of white vinegar. Wipe down the door seal and detergent drawer. Doing this step helps stop any lingering germs from contaminating the next load.

Read More:

Washing Machine Maintenance: Keeping Your Appliance in Top Condition

The Hidden Dangers of Overloading Your Washing Machine: What You Need to Know

Extra Tips to Disinfect Laundry After Illness Safely

• In addition to washing with hot water and using laundry sanitisers, you can take a few extra steps to make sure you thoroughly disinfect laundry after illness. These simple but effective habits reduce the risk of spreading germs and help keep your home healthier overall.

  • Wear gloves when handling soiled laundry. Disposable gloves protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated fabrics. If you don’t use gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching the laundry.

  • Avoid shaking clothes or bedding. Shaking releases virus particles into the air, which increases the risk of cross-contamination. Handle everything gently and load the washing machine straight away.

  • Wash items separately. Keep the ill person’s laundry apart from the rest of the household’s clothing and linens. This prevents viruses from spreading through shared loads.

  • Disinfect hampers and laundry baskets. Once you’ve emptied a basket, clean it with a disinfectant spray or wipe. Viruses can easily survive on plastic or fabric surfaces.

  • Use a hot iron on fabrics when appropriate. If the item’s care label allows it, iron clothes and bedding after drying. The added heat offers another layer of disinfection.

  • Clean and disinfect surfaces in the laundry area. Wipe down handles, knobs, and surfaces in your utility room to maintain a clean environment while you disinfect laundry after illness.

  By combining these tips with your main laundry routine, you’ll strengthen your defence against the spread of illness at home. Always stay consistent with your cleaning methods, especially during cold and flu season, to protect your family’s health.

Final Thoughts

Recovering from illness is hard enough—you don’t want to go through it twice. That’s why it’s essential to disinfect laundry after illness properly and thoroughly. With the right washing temperature, laundry sanitiser, and post-wash care, you can keep your household healthier and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Next time someone in your family catches a bug, don’t just focus on the hand sanitiser and tissues. Turn your attention to your laundry too—it’s a simple but powerful step in stopping the spread.