How should the facility be cleaned to limit spread of COVID-19?

Cleaning with products containing soap or detergent reduces germs on surfaces and objects by removing contaminants and may also weaken or damage some of the virus particles, which decreases risk of infection from surfaces. Cleaning high touch surfaces and shared objects once a day is usually enough to sufficiently remove virus that may be on surfaces unless someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 has been in your facility. For more information on cleaning your facility regularly and cleaning your facility when someone is sick, see Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility.

When should you clean and sanitize your facility if someone tests positive for COVID-19?

If a sick person or someone who tested positive for COVID-19 has been in your facility within the last 24 hours, you should clean and disinfect the spaces they occupied. Close off areas used by the person who is sick and do not use those areas until after cleaning and disinfecting.

Is it safe to wash laundry when someone is sick?

But “it is okay to wash the laundry of someone who is ill along with the laundry of other members of the household,” Meyer says. As long as you take measures to safely handle contaminated items, there’s no need to do a separate load for those linens and clothes, according to the CDC.

How do you disinfect a washing machine?

After you put the dirty laundry in the washer, disinfect surfaces in the laundry area that may have become contaminated by the virus, such as the knobs and the door pull on the washing machine. Also clean the laundry bin with bleach or other household disinfectant after you’ve removed the dirty clothes.

Do you need to wash your clothes all the time?

For most people who aren’t in close contact with patients on a daily basis, clothing is unlikely to be a problem, and normal hygiene habits should be enough to prevent contagion. “It’s not necessary to wash your clothing all the time,” Riley said. “Just wash your clothes regularly and change them every day.”

What is the best way to prevent laundryborne illnesses?

Dry clothing completely. Disinfect laundry baskets with 0.1\% sodium hypochlorite or one of these household disinfectants, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have approved. Wear gloves when doing laundry. Wash the hands with warm water and soap immediately after removing the gloves.