If soiled laundry contaminates other household items, it’s important to act carefully to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Here’s what you should do in simple steps:
**1. Separate Contaminated Items Immediately**
As soon as you notice that laundry is soiled or has contaminated other items, separate those items from clean ones. Avoid mixing contaminated clothes or fabrics with others to stop cross-contamination[2].
**2. Handle with Care and Protect Yourself**
Wear disposable gloves if possible when handling soiled laundry or contaminated household items. After handling, remove gloves carefully and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water[2].
**3. Wash Contaminated Laundry Properly**
Use hot water—at least 140°F (60°C)—to wash contaminated clothes, towels, or linens because this temperature helps kill most bacteria and viruses[1][4]. If your washing machine has a sanitize cycle, use it; otherwise choose a heavy-duty cycle for longer washing time and stronger agitation[2].
Adding a laundry sanitizer can boost disinfection without damaging colors; these products are designed to kill germs beyond what detergent alone can do[2]. Avoid just relying on regular detergent since it mainly removes dirt but may not eliminate harmful pathogens fully.
**4. Clean the Washing Machine After Use**
Run an empty hot water cycle at about 194°F (90°C) after washing heavily soiled loads to disinfect the machine itself[4]. This helps prevent buildup of bacteria inside the washer.
**5. Disinfect Other Household Items That Were Contaminated**
For non-washable fabrics like upholstery or cushions that got contaminated, use EPA-registered fabric sanitizers in spray form according to instructions[2]. For hard surfaces nearby (like floors or counters), clean them with appropriate disinfectants.
Avoid mixing hazardous cleaning products when disinfecting surfaces because some combinations can cause dangerous reactions like fires or explosions[3].
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By following these steps—separating contamination promptly, using protective measures while handling dirty laundry, washing at high temperatures with sanitizers if needed, cleaning your washer regularly afterward, and disinfecting affected household items—you reduce health risks from germs spreading around your home through soiled laundry contamination.
This approach is especially important if someone in the house is sick or if healthcare uniforms have been washed at home since domestic machines may not always fully eliminate harmful bacteria otherwise[4][5].
