A new study has found that the virus that causes COVID-19 can linger on fabric, such as clothing or upholstery, for up to three days.
Among polyester, a polycotton blend and 100% cotton fabrics, the polyester posed the greatest risk, even after 72 hours; on whole cotton samples, the virus lasted for one day, while the poly-cotton blend remained contaminated with viral droplets for only six hours – designed to mimic human saliva.
The breakthrough finding could be especially dangerous when it comes to clothing worn by health professionals, said Dr. Katie Laird, a microbiologist and author of the study.
If the fabrics are not washed often, they can transmit the virus from patient to patient.
“When the pandemic first started, there was little understanding of how long the coronavirus could survive on textiles,” said Dr. Laird, a leading infectious disease researcher at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK.
“Our findings show that three of the most commonly used textile products in healthcare pose a risk of transmission of the virus,” she continued in an interview for the university news site. “When nurses and health workers take their uniforms home, they can leave traces of the virus on other surfaces.”
In terms of disinfection, researchers also found that soap and scorching hot water – at least 153 degrees Fahrenheit (67 degrees Celsius) – were required to effectively clean 100 percent cotton fabric, which is often used for medical staff uniforms.
Regular household washing machines usually only go up to about 130 degrees on the hottest setting.
The findings suggest that hospital staff should refrain from wearing their uniforms home, said Dr. Laird, whose study has been submitted to a research journal for publication, pending peer review.
“This research has reinforced my recommendation to wash all medical uniforms on site in hospitals or an industrial laundry facility,” she said. “These washing methods are regulated, and nurses and health workers need not worry that the virus might be taken home.”