Washing at 30° not enough to kill virus particles warns on-demand laundry app

The award-winning on-demand laundry app, Laundrapp has warned that washing clothes on a 30° cycle isn’t enough to kill virus particles on clothes and other textiles and says households around the country should at least double the standard temperature to kill off viruses as infections soar where possible.

The laundry and dry cleaning service, which operates across 16 UK cities including more than 40 locations in London, says the standard wash temperature which households across the country have been urged to use for more than a decade isn’t hot enough to kill virus particles and germs. It advises that all homes use at least a 60° wash for all laundry loads if suitable – and a higher wash if possible for bedding, underwear, towels and tea towels.

Allan Warburton, Head of Commercial at Laundrapp said, “We understand that washing at 30° is preferable for the environment and it’s cheaper too, especially for busy homes but, with coronavirus cases spiking, it’s vital to select a hotter wash if you can. Virus particles aren’t destroyed at lower temperatures.

“If you commonly wash at 30° you need to double that to at least 60° where possible to ensure that any virus particles on your linens, bedding or clothes are killed. Choosing an antibacterial detergent and using that in conjunction with the higher wash is also important. We think this is an important message to get out there as confirmed viruses have begun to accelerate in the last few weeks – it’s important not to be complacent and laundry is something easily overlooked in the fight against transmission.

“We’d also urge that increasing temperatures is important for every household, not just those who are classed as vulnerable to COVID-19.

NHS guidance states that hands should also be washed after dirty laundry is placed in the machine, the machine cleaned regularly and wet laundry removed from the washer as soon as the cycle ends to avoid germs reproducing in the damp conditions of the drum.

Laundrapp is an on-demand laundry app which offers collection of laundry and washing at 60°* in 16 UK cities, with eco-friendly delivery slots and services for commercial and domestic clients.

Find out more at: https://laundrapp.com/