New research: How long can coronavirus particles stay on fabric?

For many struggling with lockdown protocols, essential workers trying to best protect themselves, and the rest of the world processing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, researching the virus has become a full-time job. 

In the world of the twenty-four hour news cycle, new information sprouts up on every subject with each passing minute, and information on COVID-19 is now some of the most sought after data presented in our day-to-day. 

However, since “fake news” got big, it’s been exceedingly difficult to measure the validity of any information we receive. If journalism is so defunct that any piece of printed word can be dismissed as fake, then how can we determine what is truth? 

The answer seems to be, mirroring COVID-19 suggested precautions, to figure it out on your own. We must weigh out the validity of the information we receive on a daily basis, and with new information about the coronavirus popping up every day, this chore has become a matter of life & death. 

Figuring it out

Information about how the coronavirus works seems to be mired in syntax that can make precautions at times seem quite illogical; certain jobs require negative coronavirus tests to be presented in order to enter the workplace after being exposed, while the virus is known to show up within two weeks of exposure, even after pulling a negative test. 

Furthermore, indoor dining has produced restaurants whose employees furiously wipe down surfaces, while at the same time allowing customers to sit with their masks off at tables, the practice of unmasked gathering indoors said to be one of the biggest risks of spreading the virus. 

The early days of lockdown in March 2020 had people wiping down their groceries before putting them away, while February 2021 deemed 22,000 fans at the Super Bowl safe. With new information changing the conversation about the coronavirus popping up each day, quelling or increasing our fears, it’s imperative to keep up with the news if you want to have your finger on the pulse. 

The latest news is a report about the coronavirus on fabric, and how long the virus can survive on such material.

Coronavirus on fabric

The New York Post reported today that the virus which causes COVID-19 can linger on fabric for up to three days; coronavirus on fabric appears to be a new concern. Dr. Katie Laird is a microbiologist and author of the new study warning people about the dangers of the coronavirus on fabric.

The study revealed polyester fabrics present the biggest risk, as the virus survived on the fabric after seventy-two hours in the study. Cotton & poly-cotton blends yield less of a risk, as samples on cotton lasted only a day, while poly-cotton had the virus surviving for a mere six hours.

New risks

Laird says the new information about coronavirus on fabric poses a big risk in spreading the virus, especially for healthcare workers who expose themselves on a daily basis; the three fabric types mentioned above are the three most commonly used in healthcare workers’ clothing.

Further research revealed that in order to safely expel the virus from clothing, garments must be washed with soap and extremely hot water. It’s been stated most washing machines max out at 130 degrees F, while 150 degrees F is required to stomp out the virus if it’s still living on clothes before three days have passed.

Laird suggests all healthcare workers should have their clothes washed on site in order for them not to bring the virus into their homes, potentially causing further spread. If washing isn’t possible at healthcare facilities, Laird recommends healthcare workers not wear their exposed work clothes home.

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The recent news of coronavirus on fabric comes from Dr. Katie Laird, a leading infectious disease researcher at De Montfort University in Leicester, United Kingdom.