What's likely to destroy coronavirus/ COVID-19 and kill the virus?

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dylanmitchell

dylanmitchell

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Washing hands with soap and water destroys the cell membrane of most bacteria and viruses and washes them away. Does washing clothes destroy bacteria and viruses in a similar way? I haven't thought much about soap until recently and it's interesting that the soap or fatty acids wedge themselves into the lipid membrane and pry it apart.

It is unlikely clothes especially ones that have been laundered are transmitting Covid. The current understanding is Covid spreads like the flu little droplets from coughs, sneezes, or talking and infects you through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Hospitals and medical facilities have more exposure risk but have protocols for sanitizing laundry.

 
If you're concerned, I believe you could just let them sit in a basket for a few days and you'd be fine - even if they hadn't been washed. The virus only lives for 72 hours or so on hard surfaces, and less on other materials (24h on cardboard, etc), so simply ignoring your laundry for a while could be good enough?
 
common sense laundry practices are always best.....

but it is recommended by the CDC...wash in hottest water possible, 140 degrees preferred....and dry clothing for at least 28 minutes on high temp....

a good detergent is essential, just dont over dose....

and if washing whites, bleach is extremely helpful in killing any germs...

longer cycles and soaks may not be a bad idea....

kmph.com

How to wash your clothing properly to make sure the coronavirus doesn't linger

CLOVIS, Calif. (KMPH) – The CDC says the coronavirus can linger on surfaces for up to three days, and that includes your clothing. It turns out, washing them isn't enough; you have to throw them in the dryer and kill the virus with the high heat, too. Mark Benscheidt owns 10 total SuperClean...
kmph.com kmph.com
 
dishwasher sanitize option

I used the sanitize option on my dishwasher to insure the coronavirus is killed. You never know. COVID-19 can end up on the dishes you eat off of. Think about all of the germs that end up on utensils along with the food particles and grease.
 
Yes

Washing in Hot water will help. So will drying clothes in the dryer versus line drying. Sanitize option on the DW is good as well. We temp check our dish machine at the prison 3x daily I did two of the checks today and found wash temp @ 164 and 158F. Rinse @ 191 and 194F. Perfect for good sanitizing.
WK78
 
now I wash only in hot water, we rarely go out, so I forced my family to put on things that not a pity if I spoil them during the wash. I'm more concerned about infection, not through clothes, but through the air. We always wear masks when go outside. Does anyone disinfect ventilation / air conditioning? I heard that some kind of disinfectants can be sprayed into the ducts, how safe its. I also read about ionic air purification, such as this. Any tips?

 
Virus

As long as you are washing your hands and staying home, you are going to be just fine. Since it is largely a respiratory virus, these are the best protective measures you can take.
However, to kill the virus, as stated washing your hands and clothing as recommended is going to prove effective. Using higher than normal temperatures will only help to remove and kill other bacterial and viruses that are not removed with normal washing, although this is very little. If I remember correctly, about 10% of fecal matter from underwear remains after washing in normal conditions (IE. normal cycle, warm water, one rinse). As someone else mentioned, modern front loading washers with higher spin speeds and multiple rinses and interim spins will remove more.
For surfaces, a weak bleach, isopropyl alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide based cleaner will be effective. Just remember that the best way to avoid and prevent contraction is to remain at home and distant from others. This is all coming from a medical student. If you guys have any other questions, please let me know and I can try to answer them to my best ability. However, the information we are all being provided is changing just as fast as it is for you all as well! The CDC has the most up to date information as well.
 
a dryers temps is higher than any home water heater setting......

washing in hot is not going to ruin anything if you are also drying in a dryer, which currently is recommended...

my water heater is set at 160....the dryer heats to a higher mark than that...if the dryer doesn't damage anything, no chance the washer will either....

plus it keeps my dryer drums sparkling white....
 
I know I'm doing a little overkill, but I do work in the largest hospital in middle Tennessee and the one most likely to get the worst cases of COVID19.  We've had some rule-outs lately, along with some whooping cough and C-diff.  I'm washing my uniforms in hot water 140F setting on the Miele (but the water heater is 150 and right beside the washer) and adding a little Lysol to the wash water, then drying in my gas dryer on high heat sensor dry cycle.
 
Bacteria, fungi and viruses are entirely different things when it comes to killing them.

Viruses are just RNA (a different form of DNA) bunched in some type of hull. These hulls are often just fat, thus anything that dissolves fat in water dissolves that hull.
Imagine your hull being dissolved. You wouldn't do anything anymore.

Bacteria actually are living things.
They can be killed by poisoning, dissolving or heat.
Most bacteria beginn to die north of 120F.
Chemicals either attack their hull or get absorbed and hinder their biological process to the point they die.
Mix and match to your desire.

Fungi are the worst there.
Their spores are obscenely resisten to chemicals and to heat.
Long hot washes beyond 140F with chemicals are almost a must.
 
Wow Greg,

C-Dif is also highly contageous. Hospitals have also restricted most if not all contractors and vendors from entering unless it's deemed as of high priority.
Social media helps the social distancing syndrome a bit. I stumbled on a guy's (and Husband) profile from Franklin Tn. on instagram. We miss the gym. Working out at home, and walking a lot.
Thank's for serving those who need care. All the best to you and Tony! Stay healthy and safe. Keep us posted.
 
Covid easier to destroy/ kill vs C Diff and MRSA

We've been washing clothes as normal mostly cold water with Tide free and clear and warm water and Biz for kitchen rags, cleaning towels, etc. We do rinse rags thoroughly of chemicals before washing. A few years ago one of use had C Diff and we were very thorough washing closes with warm or hot water and hot drying cycles plus the usual handwashing cleaning and separating the sick person. Not convinced Biz kills everything and our water heater is set to 125 degrees. We could set it higher but 125 is above the minimum required for the dishwasher and less likely to scald someone and it's expensive to heat water.

Corona Virus/ Covid 19 spreads rapidly but is easier to destroy or kill than the particularly nasty bacterias or viruses like C Diff and meth resistant staph. C Diff and Meth resistant staff are bacteria vs a virus like Covid.

Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide developed by Virox and sold by Diversey in the U.S. looks to be effective and less damaging to surfaces. I think it would work better than most hydrogen peroxide consumer cleaning products. Bleach continues to be effective but some people are not aware of its relatives short shelf life and that splashes and other bleaches may not work. Rubbing alcohol and ethanol but can destroy a lot of surfaces.

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

[this post was last edited: 3/27/2020-14:00]

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
 
I caught C Diff one time from who knows where. The anti biotics they gave me were worse on me than the virus. Took 1.5 month of kimchi and HMF Replete in the morning before my lower tract reset itself and resumed passing solids instead off 100% liquids. I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy.
 

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