Laundromats During COVID-19: Yes or No?
Now that millions of people are being told to stay at home as much as possible to help reduce the spread of the new coronavirus, we are re-evaluating how to perform everyday activities and chores while adhering to social distancing measures.
With the number of COVID-19 cases shows no signs of slowing down, going outside to do laundry can seem hazardous. However, much like grocery shopping or visiting the doctor, going to the laundromat can be accomplished safely with a little preparation.
So, if you’re planning to visit our laundromat at Scrubs Laundry or any other laundromat near you, we’ve answered some of the most common questions you might have.
Is It Safe To Visit A Laundromat
Many studies have stressed the importance of keeping your clothes clean and washing them regularly to ensure that they aren’t responsible for spreading the virus. Hence, visiting the laundromat becomes a must, especially if you don’t have a washing machine at home.
But, when you visit the laundromat, ensure you follow the prominent security measures, including washing your hands frequently and maintaining social distancing. You could even consider bringing disinfectants for the surfaces that you’ll have to inevitably touch.
Moreover, you should avoid visiting the laundromat at peak hours, and it might be worth the effort to call ahead and check with us when it’s the best time to visit, especially as we have prominent crowd control policies in place.
Once you’re inside the laundromat, ensure you stand at least six feet away from others, hence, you should consider sorting dirty laundry and folding dry clothes at your house. While your load is on, try to avoid waiting inside, instead, consider waiting in your car or outside.
Moreover, if you don’t want to venture out or you need to self-quarantine and don’t have a washing machine, consider using a wash-and-fold service. We offer pick-up and drop off services to ensure you have clean clothes, without risking contracting or spreading the virus.
How Often Should You Do Your Laundry?
By following the measures mentioned above, you can considerably reduce the risk of being infected or spreading the virus, however, there’s still a chance. So, only step out of your house to do the laundry at particular times. For example, consider doing one large load every couple of weeks, instead of taking a weekly trip to the laundromat. This will minimize your contact with others while ensuring you have clean clothes to wear.
Moreover, when it comes to wash-and-fold and dry-cleaning services, it depends on the clothing you have. For example, the chemicals used in dry cleaning are much stronger than those used in regular clothes washing. Hence, the material tends to stay cleaner for a longer period of time. So, ask yourself, do you absolutely need to dry clean something right now? If yes, then consider taking more items and dry cleaning all your essentials at once.
How High Is The Risk Of Getting Infected From Clothing?
The short response is that your clothes shouldn’t be your primary health concern in most situations. Experts emphasized the importance of daily handwashing with soap and water (or hand sanitizer, if available) as the most effective preventive measure.
Since the new coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets, the safest way to protect yourself is to limit your contact with other people through social distancing. Though the virus can live for up to three days on surfaces like plastic and steel (think buttons or zippers), some research indicates that the risk of infection from touching these materials is low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmission happens “much more frequently” through droplets than through other structures and materials.
Should You Be Doing Your Laundry Differently?
For washing clothing, towels, and bedding, the C.D.C. suggests using the warmest appropriate setting and drying products completely at a high temperature.
When doing laundry, it’s a good idea to use protective gloves if you have them. If you use gloves or not, it’s more important to wash your hands as soon as you’re done handling laundry. Also, don’t shake out your laundry as it could disperse the virus through the air.
Clean and disinfect your laundry hampers, baskets, and bags once you’re done. If you have one, lining your hamper with a washable or removable bag is a smart idea. Another good idea is to keep one bag for dirty clothes and another for clean clothes. You can also store your clothes in disposable plastic bags.
So, if you’re looking for a safe, clean and disinfected laundromat in your area, consider visiting our laundromat at Scrubs Laundry. We have industry-grade machines and adhere to all the social distancing and crowd control norms to ensure we can reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.