Ask the Expert—Healthcare laundry guidelines

By: David LaHoda January 21st, 2009

Q: As a healthcare facility that does its own laundering, are we required to use a particular laundry detergent?

A: Neither OSHA nor the CDC specify the type of detergent to use but the CDC  Guidelines for Laundry in Health Care Facilities does recommends a temperature of at least 160° F for a minimum of 25 minutes for hot-water washing. Chlorine bleach provides an extra margin of safety, according to the guidelines, which also provides recommendations for low-temperature water washing and sorting and transporting laundry in and outside healthcare facilities.

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David LaHoda



David LaHoda, the managing editor of Medical Environment Update and OSHA Watch, has produced healthcare training videos and consulted for medical practices and ambulatory healthcare facilities.

David has written 196 posts.

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