Don’t set fire to your wardrobe just yet. Washing your clothes in hot water with detergent is the atomic bomb of germ warfare. The flu virus is a wimp when it comes to soap. The detergent literally rips its fatty outer layer apart, and it dies instantly. Soap is to a virus what a black hole is to a spaceship—no survivors.
And the dryer? That’s just a crispy victory lap. The heat from a standard dryer cycle (over 130°F) will kill any lingering virus in about 20 minutes. So, if you’re worried your couch is infected, just toss the cushions in the dryer. Okay, don’t do that. But you can steam clean it. Or, you can simply wait a day. Time is your most powerful disinfectant. In 24 to 48 hours, almost all flu viruses on fabric will be dead, gone, and laughing in the afterlife.
So, the next time you hear a sneeze behind you, don’t panic. Channel your inner scientist, remember that your sweater is a viral desert, and know that a hot wash cycle is your best friend. And for heaven’s sake, stop rubbing your face on the throw pillows. Let the germ fight be between your washing machine and a few sad, drying-out virus particles. You’ve got better things to do—like laughing at this article.
