In these trying times brought on by the spread of Coronavirus, we are all concerned about being safe and remaining healthy. A major action to take is to ensure that you are providing sanitary laundry facilities for your tenants, customers etc and to be informed when questions around laundry arise as we all strive to do our part to #FlattenTheCurve.
Here at ShinePay, we have been raising awareness around how coins and cash are havens for pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus and even Coronavirus among others from our very beginning. Similarly, the touch screens that are required for use with card-operated laundry systems are also to be avoided if possible based on what scientists have found living on them, and they certainly need to be sanitized before every use.
To that end, we here at ShinePay have put together a few best practices for you to consider beyond removing cash, coins and touch screens from your laundry room requirements. Recently, a number of great articles from trusted sources have been published on how long can the Coronavirus survive in the air and on surfaces, which we link to throughout this post.
Clothes and Covid-19
Clothing bedding and other types of garments can contain and transport droplets according to this article from Huffington Post, quoting former Chief Medical Officer of the CDC, Robert Ambler saying that, “Some researchers believe the fibers in porous material catch the virus particles, dry them out and break them apart,” Amler said. “Smooth surfaces like leather and vinyl can be wiped clean.”
Sanitize all surfaces daily
The latest research has shown that the virus and similar pathogens can live on surfaces like cardboard, glass and steel for anywhere between 24 hours and up to 3 days. Also, there is What this means is that frequent cleaning of all surfaces is certainly an action to take, as well as washing clothing worn outdoors as soon as possible. Also, if possible, providing disinfectant wipes or spray for your customers is recommended.
Wash and Dry at Higher Temps
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing loads at, “[...] a temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) for a minimum of 25 minutes is commonly recommended for hot-water washing.” A good suggestion is to dry loads at high temps and to do so for a longer cycle than you normally would.
Use Bleach or Detergents with a Bleach Compound
If using bleach, (which is recommended for white garments and bleach-resistant items) it is important to know that: Chlorine bleach becomes activated at water temperatures of 135°F–145°F (57.2°C–62.7°C). In general pathogens and viral substances do not survive in a harsh environment like bleach solutions.
Mobile Payments over Coins
Mobile payment apps, ahem...like ShinePay offer a more sanitary solution to coins. Coins and shared surfaces like change machines are certainly to be avoided if possible. When using an app like ShinePay to operate washers and dryers, please be sure to frequently sanitize your smartphone as well.
(Image) A transmission-electron microscope image of an isolate from the first US case of Covid-19.PHOTOGRAPH: HANNAH A BULLOCK; AZAIBI TAMIN/CDC)
(1) https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-long-coronavirus-live-clothing-washing_l_5e724927c5b6eab779409e74
(2) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html
The above recommendations are clothing laundering best practices ONLY and should not be taken as medical advice or public health advice, or to replace advice provided by any medical professional or public health official. Any recommendations put forth by the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, the National Institute of Health, or any other local, state, national, or international health body should take precedence. ShinePay, Inc. will not be liable for illness, disease, or any damages suffered through contact with those infected by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or ill with COVID-19 who are also using these facilities. Please continue maintaining social distancing, washing your hands after using high-contact surfaces, and all other recommended practices while using these facilities and washing your clothes. Stay safe!
