6. Decontamination of fabrics including clothing and laundry
You need to consider whether, during work activities, fabric material such as clothing, bed linen or towels may become contaminated with any body fluids that contain blood and possibly bloodborne viruses (BBVs).
If contaminated fabrics are going to be laundered for re-use, the laundering method should consider how the fabrics will be decontaminated and handled to prevent cross-infection of other items.
Linen can be made safe by washing at high temperatures to remove any contaminating body fluids, but it is often not practical to wash domestic linen at high temperatures because of the heat lability of fabrics.
You will need to risk assess the likelihood and extend of linen or clothing contamination. Disposable materials could be used if the risk is high.
Recommended wash conditions for clinical settings are outlined based on the levels of soiling. They are outlined in the following guidance:
- Health Technical Memorandum (on NHS.UK)
- National Guidance for Safe Management of Linen in NHS Scotland Health and Care Environments (on NHS.Scot)
Non-clinical laundry
For non-clinical workplaces potentially contaminated linen should be washed at the highest possible temperature recommended for that particular fabric.
The process of soil removal and disinfection for the washed item will be achieved by a combination of:
- temperature (when more than 40°C)
- detergent action
- dilution effect during the wash and rinse steps