Secure Your Clothes, Secure Your Home From Viruses Like Coronavirus With These Tips

The world came to a sudden halt in 2020. Suddenly, everywhere you looked, news of a new deadly virus was doing rounds. Coronavirus, a deadly virus that causes Covid-19, was spreading so quickly that the entire world went into a complete lockdown. People became aware of their surroundings and started becoming more careful of not getting dirt on or around them. The scope and fear of uncleanness increased, and the sale of sanitisers and cleaners shot through the roof. But in the process of making their hands and homes clean, people underestimated another major source, which is equally responsible for making you very sick – clothes.

As the pandemic is slowly coming under control, people are again stepping out of their homes. But with outdoor activities comes sweat, and it becomes a major reason for becoming a habitable ground for micro-organisms on clothes like undergarments, socks, handkerchiefs, etc. In a country where a section of the society already has a weak immunity due to pre-existing diseases like high or low blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and other concerns, clothes equally play a very important role in the protection of immunocompromised people.

How Do One’s Clothes Become Hazardous?

Not all situations and places are risk-free. If you encounter surface’s that may have been exposed to Covid-19 or another airborne virus, then there may be a greater chance of your clothes harbouring the virus. For a health sector worker, the risk of your clothing being exposed to viral particles increase significantly. Research conducted by scientists at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) concluded Covid-19 virus can survive on fabric for up to three days after exposure.

How To Protect Your Clothes From Viruses?

In India, people use traditional methods like naphthalene balls to protect their clothes from insects and bad odour. With the increasing risk of airborne viruses, this method is old and outdated.

According to John Sensakovic, M.D., division director of infectious disease at JFK Medical Center, “If you’re concerned that your clothing may have been exposed to Covid-19, the best way to get rid of the virus is to wash any exposed clothing on heated cycles.” In India, only 13 percent of households have a washing machine, out of which only 0.01% use hot water for washing clothes. Some common mistake people often do in India is to use antiseptic liquid for treating the clothes which only give temporary benefit and in some cases damage the fabric.

Nanotechnology play’s a major role in elevating the clothes industry. Nanoscience offers long-lasting benefits which can upgrade clothes as a healthy tool. Today there is an increasing demand for clothes with antimicrobial and antiviral technology. Children and senior citizens are the most vulnerable to germs and bacteria as their immunity is not that strong as compared to adults. Clothes infused with this advanced technology will help the children to develop their immunity and protect them from exterior viruses and bacteria’s. These types of clothes will lower the risk of contamination and keep people safe.