Think about what the outside world has touched before throwing on a beanie or layering up with a puffer jacket – public transportation, shared seating, and more. We don’t wash them nearly as often as our regular clothes for some weird reason.
Dr. Thomas A. Russo, chief of the University at Buffalo’s division of infectious diseases, says those who wash their coats once a year or less – or who wash their scarves the same way – have good news.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Pixel-Shot
Compared to clothes, coats, hats, and scarves are much less likely to be laundered or sent to the dry cleaners, Russo says. In the end, our clothes do not transmit many infectious diseases. Can your clothes infect you? “Yes, but it’s a very low number.”
What Builds Up in Storage
Environmental allergens such as dust mites and pet dander can accumulate when clothes are stored. Itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny nose can be brought on by exposure to these allergens. To remove allergens from outerwear, wash it in hot water and dry it.
What If you don’t wash your coat often?
Various intestinal diseases may be caused by enteric pathogens, viruses, or bacteria, on your clothes. Droplets are the major vector for transmission, not inanimate objects.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Krakenimages.com
How Often Should You Wash Coats
Wash items like gloves that frequently touch elevator buttons, doors, and subway poles more often than garments and accessories worn in cold weather. Swap pairs of gloves throughout the week if they don’t lend themselves to being washed.
How To Wash Outerwear
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Use the manufacturer’s recommended hottest water
- Bleach and detergent
- Finish with a drying cycle on the recommended heat
- Protect yourself from viruses by wearing a face mask