Home washing of patient clothing

The Hospital supplies patient clothing bags for the transportation and safe laundering of patient clothing. This bag is fully sealed and has a soluble seam that will dissolve in the wash process. It is compatible with domestic washing machines and should be placed unopened in the machine. Gloves will be provided for safe handling.

Patients/carers and relatives of patients responsible for washing patients clothing will be able to safely wash the items of clothing at home. The bags are used to reduce the possible risk of infection from used and potentially infected items of clothing.

NHS Hospitals find it very difficult to launder ‘Personal Patient Clothing’ for the following reasons:

1. The hospital linen is washed at high temperatures that are unsuitable for personal clothing and may cause damage to the clothing.
2. Because of the number of patients within the hospital and no on-site laundry, it is extremely difficult to trace individual items of clothing.
3. Industrial detergents, bleaches and other chemicals are used during the laundering process of the hospital linen and they may not be compatible with materials used for personal clothing.

Please follow the advice below:

• Wearing protective gloves provided or household rubber gloves, place the PCB directly into the washing machine.
• Do not mix with other articles of home laundry.
• If there is a pre-wash setting on the machine, wash the garment on this programme then choose a programme with the highest possible temperature setting that will not adversely affect the fabric. During the wash process the seam and tie of the PCB will dissolve at any temperature.
• Always wash your hands after the removal of gloves.
• When the cycle is complete, remove the plastic bag and dispose with your normal household waste.
• Do not tumble dry the plastic bag.
• If the item of clothing can withstand warm tumble-drying this will assist the infection control process.

Instructions for safe use are also printed on the bag

For more information please contact:

Facilities Services – Box 102, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ

Tel: 01223 256123

Infection Control – Box 89, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ

Telephone: 01223 217497