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!

Will do the same if we get Coronavirus

Norovirus is a lot 'tougher' than Coronavirus.

Just regular detergent and recommended temperature for the clothes is enough.

When I was nursing we were always told to wash our uniforms at 60, its relatively recent environmental pressure to was at 40. In the 70's we had a 90 degree wash for nappies. How things change. I still do my mail wash at 60

I don't wash my mail.

CDC guidance on killing MRSA - a concern for NHS workers who don't want to spread MRSA around - and general advice for killing bacteria which is of concern to NHS workers

www.cdc.gov/mrsa/community/environment/laundry.html

Proper Water Temperature

In general, wash and dry in the warmest temperatures recommended on the clothing label. Hot water washing is not necessary to remove MRSA from laundry. Read and follow the clothing and soap or detergent label instructions. Water temperatures for household laundry depend on the type of fiber or fabric of the clothing. Also, some laundry detergents are made to clean best at certain temperatures. Not following instructions could damage the clothing item or decrease the effectiveness of the detergent.

Coronavirus is easily destroyed when its lipid membrane comes into contact with the surfactants found in detergents.

Temperature isn't really a factor for destroying Coronavirus. It's the degree of washing and the components in what is used to wash.

And a bit more on the NHS policy

(archived from 2013)

<a class="break-all" href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130123201551/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_114751" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130123201551/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_114751

Wash uniforms and clothing worn at work at the hottest temperature suitable for the fabric (trusts should take this into account before purchasing uniforms that can only be washed at low temperatures or are ‘dry clean only’).

A wash for 10 minutes at 60ºC removes almost all micro-organisms. Washing with detergent at lower temperatures – down to 30ºC – eliminates MRSA and most other micro-organisms

All elements of the washing process contribute to the removal of micro-organisms on fabric. Detergents (washing powder or liquid) and agitation release any soiling from the clothes, which is then removed by sheer volume of water during rinsing.

Temperature also plays a part.Scientific observations and tests, literature reviews and expert opinion suggest that:• there is little effective difference between domestic and commercial laundering in terms of removing micro-organisms from uniforms and workwear;•

washing with detergents at 30ºC will remove most gram positive micro-organisms, including all meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); and• a 10-minute wash at 60ºC is sufficient to remove almost all micro-organisms.

In tests, only 0.1% of any Clostridium difficile spores remained. Microbiologists carrying out the research advise that this level of contamination on uniforms and workwear is not a cause for concern.

So basically - if you want to be really sure you have removed all bacteria and viruses, then wash at 60C. For NHS workers, that may well be the best advice given.

But for Coronavirus and most bacteria, then the normal temperature for your clothes is fine. Which is going to be fine for the public.

We have been advised by my trust to wash uniforms at the hottest temperature the fabric will tolerate, tumble dry if possible and iron it. Do not more than half-fill the machine and wash uniforms separately from other household laundry. I don't tumble dry often, but do hang them out in our roasting conservatory and iron them.

I haven't changed how I launder our other clothes though, I still wash at 40.

So I would take this product with a massive pinch of salt

www.dettol.co.uk/products/see-all-products/dettol-antibacterial-laundry-cleanser-fresh-cotton/

It does claim to destroy Coronavirus.
Which it probably does. Given what it contains.

The fact is that just doing a normal wash will also destroy Coronavirus.

I wonder if they have done a controlled experiment to see the difference their product makes?

Scrubs and uniforms need washing at 60C because it isn't just Coronavirus that is on them. There can also be pneumococcus and other bacteria that NEED a 60C wash.

A modern 'eco' machine 40C wash may not use enough water to properly destroy CV.

Our IPC team visited the ward today and said that if our uniform labels state a maximum of 40 degree wash, then that‘A what they should get.

We have had the same uniform for years...