Companies that wash their own workwear or leave this to their employees are currently facing uncertainties when it comes to their laundry supply. Specialist knowledge regarding the correct washing technique and procedures is required. CWS Hygiene Manager Debbie Hartung has compiled helpful tips for companies on washing workwear during the current situation.

1) Wearing work clothing

Each member of the team should only ever wear their own work clothing. This is generally recommended. However, especially at the present time, no items of clothing should be lent to colleagues.

2) Wear clothing during working hours

Work clothing should only be worn while performing work. Clothing should not be worn after work and should be stored separately from personal clothing.

3) Wash separately

Workwear should not be washed together with private laundry. Ideally not in the same washing machine either. Although there is currently no known transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to objects, this is an important precautionary measure that should be observed as a rule.

4) Temperature as high as possible

Workwear should be washed at the highest possible temperature that the clothing allows. Ideally at 60 °C, because according to the Robert Koch Institute, coronaviruses are inactivated at these temperatures in combination with a heavy-duty detergent.

5) Wash work clothes with heavy-duty detergent

Work clothing should be washed with a heavy-duty detergent. The composition of the ingredients is most effective in combating viruses.

6) Conduct in suspected cases

a) Washing at 60 °C with heavy-duty detergent: According to the Robert Koch Institute, clothing belonging to an employee infected with COVID-19 should be washed at a minimum of 60 degrees with a heavy-duty detergent and then dried thoroughly. After loading the machine, hands should be washed and dried thoroughly.

b) Store clothing separately for a week: If reprocessing is only possible at a lower temperature, it is advisable to store the clothing separately in a bag for at least a week and then wash it as usual. As coronaviruses are not very stable in the environment, they are infectious for a few hours to a few days on dry surfaces, according to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.

7) Inform textile service providers

Companies that already use a textile service provider must urgently observe their guidelines for handling potentially contaminated laundry. In the event of suspected cases in the company, inform the service provider, for example CWS, in advance by telephone. The service driver then collects the laundry in separate containers and the vehicles are then disinfected.