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OEHS Directory

Proper Procedures for Laundering Contaminated Clothing

Procedures

Contaminated clothing (including laboratory coats and gowns) with mild chemical or biological contamination should be laundered separately from other clothes using one of the following methods:

  1. UNH Laundry Facilities

    Laundry facilities exist in a few departments at UNH. Follow departmental procedures for cleaning contaminated clothing. Generally, these facilities are for intra-department use only.

  2. Professional Laundering

    A professional service company may be used if your department does not have the capability to wash contaminated clothing. It is your responsibility to determine if the cleaning company is capable and willing to launder your contaminated clothes.

  3. Personal Laundering

    Personal Laundering Clothing contaminated with biohazardous material must be autoclaved prior to laundering at home. NOTE: Personal laundering is not acceptable for clothing contaminated with chemicals, blood, blood products, or other bodily fluids.

  4. Contaminated Clothing

    Clothing that is overtly contaminated with chemicals must be disposed as hazardous waste.

    Clothing contaminated with radiological material must be disposed as radiological waste.

    Clothing that is contaminated with blood, blood products, or other bodily fluids must be removed and containerized in leak-proof bags or boxes at the location where it was used. Containers or bags must be marked with the biohazard symbol. Contaminated clothing may not be sorted or rinsed in the location of use, and may never be sent home with the researcher for personal laundering. Laboratory managers may launder contaminated clothing using departmental laundry facilities where available. Contaminated clothing shall be washed, at a minimum in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions. However, Departments are encouraged to launder contaminated clothing in hot water (160º F or greater). Where Departmental facilities are not available, contaminated clothing must be laundered by a professional laundry service. Laboratory managers shall ensure that all laundry sent off-site is containerized in leak-proof bags or boxes marked with the biohazard symbol and shall advise the vendor that the laundry is contaminated with blood and/or potentially infectious bodily fluids.

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