Stomach Bug or Flu in the House? How to Handle Sick-Day Laundry Safely

Anyone who has nursed a family through a stomach bug knows the laundry comes in waves. Sheets in the middle of the night, towels by the dozen, pajamas, a blanket from the couch, then the same again the next night. Flu season, bedwetting phases and pet accidents bring their own versions of the same problem.

Here’s how to handle sick-day laundry so it doesn’t spread germs to the rest of the house, and how to catch up when everyone is finally on the mend.

Handling laundry during a stomach bug

Norovirus, the most common cause of stomach bugs, spreads easily and can survive on fabric. The CDC recommends a few simple precautions for soiled laundry:

• Wear rubber or disposable gloves when handling soiled items.
• Don’t shake them out. Shaking can spread particles into the air.
• Wash with detergent in hot water on the longest cycle the fabric allows.
• Machine dry on the highest heat setting the fabric allows.

Remove any solid matter first, keep soiled items in a separate bag or hamper, and wash your hands well afterward. Clean the hamper and any surfaces the laundry touched.

During a cold or flu

• Give the sick person their own towels and change pillowcases often.
• Use the warmest water the care label allows for sheets and towels.
• Dry everything completely.
• Wash all bedding once the person has recovered, so you’re starting fresh.

Bedwetting and nighttime accidents

Bedwetting is common in young children, and it can come and go. A waterproof mattress protector, plus a second set of sheets and a second protector, makes middle-of-the-night changes quick. Rinse wet items in cold water before washing. That helps prevent lingering odor. For older adults dealing with incontinence, the same setup helps, and caregivers can find more ideas in our upcoming caregiving guide.

Pet accidents on bedding and blankets

Blot, don’t rub. An enzyme cleaner breaks down the proteins that cause odor, which matters because pets tend to return to spots that still smell. Then wash as usual. Avoid putting the item in the dryer until the smell is fully gone.

Catching up after the house recovers

The days after an illness are when the pile really hits. Every bed needs fresh sheets, every towel has been used and everyone is still tired. This is where laundry pickup earns its keep. Once soiled items have been handled as above, bag up the backlog of sheets, towels, blankets and clothes, and let someone else get you back to normal.

With The Elementals Laundry pickup service, you book online, leave the bags at your door, and everything comes back washed, dried and folded. Comforters and blankets are priced per piece. If anything in the order came from an illness, please let us know in your order notes, and call us at (770) 975-0739 before sending heavily soiled items so we can advise you.

A sick-day laundry kit

• Disposable gloves
• A spare set of sheets and a waterproof mattress protector for each bed
• An enzyme stain and odor remover
• A separate hamper or bag for soiled items
• Old towels set aside for emergencies

Bedding too big for your machine after a rough night? Read what to do with bulky bedding.

This post shares general laundry guidance. For health questions, talk with your doctor.