To survive, coronavirus needs some moisture. Otherwise, it can quickly dry up and no longer be viable. So, is it safe to assume that the virus can survive on clothes for as long as 24 hours? The American business magazine Forbes says, “Maybe.” However, apart from fabric, clothes also have metal or plastic parts like buttons or clasps. In theory, the virus could survive longer on less absorbent portions of your clothes. Since it has been raining almost every day in Bangladesh, chances are that clothes you wear will get wet and stay wet for a while, if you get out of the home. This may also be because of sweat. So, the question is, if your clothes do not dry quickly, could they harbour viruses for longer periods of time? Sufficient studies to support the exact lifespan of the virus on different surfaces have not been done yet. Hence, we cannot tell for sure how long the virus may linger on different articles of clothing. It is probably best to take proper precautions if you think that your clothes have been exposed to the virus. On the contrary, if you have been cooped up at home for the last few weeks and maintained good social distance while outside, it is more likely that your clothes have not been contaminated. But if you fear your clothes may have gotten exposed to the virus somehow, immediately take them off. Be careful so the clothes do not touch your face or contaminate your surroundings with the clothes. Once the clothes are off, place them in a bucket and spray disinfectant on them. Soak them in water mixed with detergent immediately. Remember to take off your shoes and leave them outside your living quarters if you are coming from the outdoors. Since you cannot wash them as clothes, spraying strong disinfectant on them should get the job done.
