A new study has revealed that the virus that causes COVID-19 can remain on fabrics, such as clothing or upholstery, for up to three days.
Among polyester, a blend of poly-cotton and 100% cotton fabrics, polyester represented the greatest risk, even after 72 hours; in whole cotton samples, the virus lasted for a day, while the poly-cotton blend remained contaminated with viral droplets – designed to mimic human saliva – for only six hours.
The revolutionary discovery can be especially dangerous when it comes to clothing worn by healthcare professionals, said Dr. Katie Laird, a microbiologist and author of the study.
If not washed frequently, the tissues can help to transmit the virus from patient to patient.
“When the pandemic started, there was very little understanding of how long the coronavirus could survive in tissues,” 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 tissues in healthcare pose a risk of transmitting the virus,” she continued in an interview for the university’s news website. “If nurses and healthcare professionals take their uniforms home, they may be leaving traces of the virus on other surfaces.”
In terms of hygiene, the researchers also found that soap and scalding hot water – at least 153 degrees Fahrenheit (67 degrees Celsius) – were needed to effectively clean the 100% cotton fabric, which is commonly used in medical team uniforms.
Household washing machines typically only reach about 130 degrees in their warmest setting.
The findings suggest that hospital staff should avoid wearing their uniforms at home, according to Dr. Laird, whose study was submitted to a research journal for publication, pending peer review.
“This research reinforced my recommendation that all health uniforms should be washed on the spot, in hospitals or in an industrial laundry,” she said. “These washing methods are regulated and nurses and healthcare professionals don’t have to worry about taking the virus home.”