Laundry

MRSA can spread on laundry like sheets, towels, and clothing. Keep laundry clean to prevent MRSA from spreading.

Effective Laundry Procedures

Routine laundry procedures, detergents, and laundry additives will all help to make clothes, towels, and linens safe to wear or touch. If items have been contaminated by infectious material (like blood or puss), they can be laundered separately, but it is not absolutely necessary.

Proper Water Temperature

In general, wash and dry in the warmest temperatures recommended on the clothing label. Hot water washing is not necessary to remove MRSA from laundry. Read and follow the clothing and soap or detergent label instructions. Water temperatures for household laundry depend on the type of fiber or fabric of the clothing. Also, some laundry detergents are made to clean best at certain temperatures. Not following instructions could damage the clothing item or decrease the effectiveness of the detergent.

Using Bleach for Laundry

It is not necessary to use bleach for each load of laundry. Detergent alone will make laundry clean and safe for wear and use. Use of bleach as a disinfectant in laundering is optional, and not all fabrics are suitable for bleach. Read the clothing label instructions.