Our reality drastically changed in March earlier this year when COVID-19 spread across the world, starting this global pandemic we are still dealing with today. With the virus spreading, there has been a lot of rumors and misinformation circulating as well. In this blog, we will disprove some of the rumors around COVID. For example, whether your washer and dryer are enough to kill this virus. La Mer has a list of tips that complies with CDC and the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute’s (DLI) practices. Adhering to these practices allows you to contribute to a safer community in the Palm Beach area.
Before we get started, we want to advise that if you haven’t read up on the CDC-recommended preparations for your home, you can do so here.
Going Out
When you go outside for a brief walk or quick grocery store run, or if you’re in contact with someone you didn’t quarantine with, it is recommended that you immediately change and clean your clothing when you get home. There isn’t enough research on how long Coronavirus stays on clothing, so be cautious.
Tip — Run/walk to the left or right side of someone if you are behind them and cannot stand 6 feet apart next to them. This will take you outside of the coronavirus particle diameter.
Packages and Mail
Delivery is in the highest demand it has been with everything going on. For packages that are packaged with cardboard, the virus can survive up to 24 hours. For plastic-wrapped packages, the virus can survive anywhere between 48 to 72 hours.
Tip — Package thieves are definitely out there, so if you don’t want to leave your package out, wear gloves and sanitize the box and all mail outside or in the garage when you receive it.
Regular, Thorough Cleaning
Routine cleaning is necessary to eliminate the virus, especially with clothes. If you aren’t able to do laundry, place your clothing in a sealed bag or a hamper for a day or so. Don’t forget to sanitize your hamper. As you’re doing the laundry, wear disposable gloves, and wash your hands after you do the laundry, especially when handling an infected person’s clothing. Reminder, don’t shake the clothing! Here at La Mer Dry Cleaning, we take these precautions with our cleaning practices. We want to make sure we contribute to a safe community here in Florida.
Are Your Washer and Dryer Enough?
High temperatures work wonders to eliminate flu viruses. If you have been infected or have come in contact with the virus, your clothing is high-risk to your home. We recommend sending your garments to a trusted dry cleaner like La Mer to disinfect your clothing and get a high-quality cleaning in the process. Most domestic washers and dryers do not reach the temperature necessary to do so. Garments must be washed at a temperature of 135-150 degrees to kill coronavirus, and an average washer and dryer don’t quite make it to that temperature.
For Clothing That Might Be Infected
The most important part of the laundry cycle is the drying process. The dryer’s heat will kill bacteria while the washer creates a damp, enclosed space for bacteria to spread. Check your washer and dryer specifications to see if it reaches the proper temperature. If it doesn’t, send in your clothing to La Mer with our convenient and safe delivery service.
If you haven’t been in contact with anyone, your standard washer and dryer will suffice. One thing to keep in mind is that even if you’re going to the grocery store, you may have been in contact without knowing or showing symptoms.
Disinfect High-Contact Areas
Everybody is at home more than ever. This means there is a potential for high-contact areas in your home to be exposed to COVID. For countertops, doorknobs, and other high-contact areas, using bleach and other disinfectants will do the job. For areas involving any fabric type, we recommend going through La Mer as we provide reliable house linen cleaning services. This includes bedsheets, curtains, towels, and more.
We all want things to go back to normal. That’s why it is necessary to take the proper precautions to provide safe cleaning routines, practice social distancing, and to wear a mask when you go out. This is a global pandemic; we are in this together.