A new study has revealed that the virus that causes COVID-19 can linger for up to three days on materials such as clothing or upholstery.
Between polyester, a poly-cotton blend and 100% cotton fabric, the polyester poses the greatest risk, even after 72 hours; on samples of full cotton, the virus lasted one day, while the poly-cotton mixture remained contaminated by viral droplets – designed to mimic human saliva – for only six hours.
The breakthrough finding could be particularly dangerous when it comes to clothing worn by health workers, Dr. Katie Laird, a microbiologist and author of the study, said.
If not washed regularly, the material can help transmit the virus from patient to patient.
“When the pandemic first started, there was very little understanding of how long coronavirus could survive on textiles,” said Dr. Laird, a leading researcher on infectious diseases at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK, said.
“Our findings show that three of the most commonly used textiles in healthcare pose a risk of transmitting the virus,” she continued in an interview on the university’s news website. “If nurses and health workers take their uniforms home, they can leave traces of the virus on other surfaces.”
In terms of sanitation, researchers also found that soap and scorching hot water – at least 67 degrees Celsius – needed at least 153 degrees Fahrenheit to effectively clean 100% cotton fabric, commonly used for medical staff uniforms.
Ordinary household washing machines usually only go up to about 130 degrees at their hottest environment.
The findings suggest that hospital staff should not wear their uniforms, according to dr. Laird, whose study was submitted to a research journal, pending peer review.
“This research reinforced my recommendation that all healthcare uniforms should be washed on site at hospitals or at an industrial laundromat,” she said. “These washing methods are regulated and nurses and health professionals do not have to worry about the possible taking of the virus home.”