To not understand the 60 degree Covid19 wash

[Trolltoes]

Sorry if this is really obvious but I haven’t found an answer yet so hoping the hive mind can help. I understand that soap, washing up liquid, bleach break down the fatty membrane of Covid 19 band that we need to wash hands for 20 secs + so why are experts saying to do a 60 degree laundry wash? Surely the soapy detergent has things in it that will break down the fatty membrane? Am thinking that a 60 degree wash will wreck most of my clothes!

Please ignore the voting, thought had disabled it. As for the 2 votes, no idea where they’ve come from

I'm not washing my clothes on 60! Who suggested that?!

Keep the vote - nowt wrong with that!

Wash your clothes at the temp on the label, where did you read the need for 60c? Is this another Facebook myth like drink water to flush coronavirus into your stomach where stomach acid will kill it?

Neverender - be read it a few times but it was also discussed on the Coronavirus how clean is your house program the other day

40c is sufficient to kill most things.

Likethebattle not FB, have read it a few times in newspapers like the Independent but nowhere that’s discussed it has had an explanation of why, it’s just presented as a given. Given that we don’t wash our hands at 60 degrees or for hours I really don’t t understand it

Because they're a bit thicky and need to witter some words for 2 minutes to get paid?

Logically, unless we need to sink our hands into 60°+ water, soap and water and a good wash is fine.

I dont think clothes detergent is the same as a soap... They have different chemicals.

Maybe clothes detergent dont contain the effective ingredients?

I'm no chemist, just thinking out loud, maybe an expert can answer

The break down of fat and grease is required. Detergent does that.

The only things I don't wash at 60°c (or above) are will items.

60 is generally recommended for hygiene reasons for towels, bedding and underwear.
reason being that some germs (bacteria, viruses and fungi) are only killed at 50 or higher.

It’s on the Which website, the Express () and the NHS website. In the scheme of things, it’s not major I just don’t like not understanding the logic

WOOL!!!

Wool?

We've been told to wash our uniforms at 60c, but I am with you lot. Don't understand why it's necessary when I use detergent.

I've no intention of washing at 60.

You're just trying to break down the fatty outer coating of the virus.

I wash on 70° to 90° only to kill bacteria. So towels (and drum clean of course).

PicsinRed that’s what I thought. Wouldn’t it break down with detergent regardless of temperature? I wash my hands in cold water - should I be using warm?

Government guidance:

"Wash items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. All dirty laundry can be washed in the same load."

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

I wash my hospital scrubs at 60 because I’ve been told to... always have. No idea if the science behind it is correct though

Blimey, have never used a 90 degree one!

No. Soap, water and good coverage is fine.

Blimey, have never used a 90 degree one!

It's rather hot to touch 😂