Dumb question - but how long can the virus live on clothes?

[Anonymous]

Some context - I use the "wash and fold" service at a laundromat (no, I don't have any other options and it's been a month). Always seems extremely clean but obviously these are extenuating circumstances. Was planning on having them washed and leaving them in the bag for a couple days.

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure when you wash your clothes, the virus dies. It’s not indestructible or anything. The soap should kill it from the laundry detergent. The dryer will definitely kill it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure when you wash your clothes, the virus dies. It’s not indestructible or anything. The soap should kill it from the laundry detergent. The dryer will definitely kill it.

My concern is the people touching/folding the clothes.

[Anonymous]

Unless you're directly dealing with COVID patients all day long, there's no reason to worry about your clothes.

I got this info from Dr. David Price, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Cornell Weill Medical Center.

[Anonymous]

Can you hand wash as much as possible in your kitchen or bathroom to avoid the extra trips out to the laundry place?

We have a washer/dryer so different situation but fur those who do or if hand washing I read a WSJ article today that said to wash laundry on hot. I’m drying some things in the dryer that I might normally hang dry.

[Anonymous]

according to the below.. should be less then 72 to 96 hours:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/871344.page

Suspension vs. Desiccation


- SARS-CoV has been shown to survive after drying on different kinds of materials or diluted in water, revealing a decreased infectivity only after 72 to 96 hrs, depending on the conditions.

- However, its infectivity is reduced more rapidly if it is deposited on porous surfaces such as cotton or paper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're directly dealing with COVID patients all day long, there's no reason to worry about your clothes.

I got this info from Dr. David Price, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Cornell Weill Medical Center.

You might want to send him this link so he might want to re-evaluate.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509683/

[Anonymous]

They don't fully know but not like you have a choice. Can you get a portable washer and dryer or line dry?

[Anonymous]

Just to be on the safe side, all women should avoid wearing clothes until further notice.

[Anonymous]

I thought it was only live on most clothing for a few hours?

[Anonymous]

How about you wash your own clothes and give the laundromat employees a break from touching dirty clothes from tons of different households?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:according to the below.. should be less then 72 to 96 hours:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/871344.page

Suspension vs. Desiccation


- SARS-CoV has been shown to survive after drying on different kinds of materials or diluted in water, revealing a decreased infectivity only after 72 to 96 hrs, depending on the conditions.

- However, its infectivity is reduced more rapidly if it is deposited on porous surfaces such as cotton or paper

Rabies is the same re: water. How many of you have contracted it from water outside?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about you wash your own clothes and give the laundromat employees a break from touching dirty clothes from tons of different households?

Sorry asshat, not all of us can afford to live in a place with our own washer/dryer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about you wash your own clothes and give the laundromat employees a break from touching dirty clothes from tons of different households?

Sorry asshat, not all of us can afford to live in a place with our own washer/dryer.

Can't you wash your own clothes at the laundromat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to be on the safe side, all women should avoid wearing clothes until further notice.

I am pretty sure you would quickly reconsider the all part.