No matter who you are, we all have to do the laundry at some point! We all know that life during this year has been tough and troubling, but some normality must remain and tasks need to be completed like usual. If you’re lucky enough to have a washing machine and dryer in your own home, then you’ll have fewer worries when it comes to doing your laundry. But for those without access to washing facilities in their home, it’s important to take some precautions when it’s necessary to visit a laundromat or use shared machines in an apartment building, for example.
If the facilities are shared, then wear a mask! Ideally, visit when it’s not likely to be busy as well, such as when most people are at work or school. Wear gloves and bring a disinfection spray or wipes to clean the handles and typical surfaces that other people may have touched before you. If anyone else is in the same space as you, which is fairly unavoidable at a laundromat, then at least stay 6 feet apart and try to wait outside when your laundry is being washed or dried. Don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly when getting home with soap and hot water.
It’s important not to throw your clothes around the area, as any bacteria that may cling to your clothing is likely to be dislodged and potentially attach to the floor, walls, and even other people. Keep everything in a sealed bag, wear gloves, and then place everything into the washing machine drum right away. It’s a good idea to try sorting laundry before you even get to the washing machine to be faster and more efficient when at the facilities. Learn more here about how to sort your laundry quicker.
Keep in mind that it’s okay to wash laundry from someone who may or may not have symptoms of COVID-19, just take special measures like wearing gloves and a mask when handling them. It’s also okay with your bare hands, but bring hand disinfectant with you and wash well at home. No special laundry detergent or bleach is needed to wash clothing for anyone experiencing symptoms, but try to wash on the hottest setting that the laundry can handle in order to kill the bacteria.
It’s not strictly necessary to wash your own clothing every time you go outside, as you’ll likely end up washing more than you really need, but if you think you’ve been near someone showing symptoms, then do a clothes wash if it makes you feel better. Clean clothing baskets regularly as well, as this can help to reduce infections in the home. See this special CDC guide for more cleaning tips during the coronavirus pandemic.
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