As the government begins to slowly lift restrictions, countless questions are popping up in the minds of the UAE citizens, the main one being about theirhealth and safety.

Although it is easy to avoid recreational activities and stay safe at home, many still have toput up a brave front and march out to earn the bread and butter, which is why work hours are something that cannot be dodged.

To win the fight against the novel coronavirus, sustainable dry-cleaning experts, 5àsec, are sharing a laundry list of expert tips to help ease stress whilst putting in100% at work.

Andre Mota, CEOof 5àsec UAE said: “Over the past month, movement outside has been limited to ‘essential’ reasons only, however, with the ease in restrictions and the government allowing 30% of workforce to return to offices, countless residents will now be stepping out on a day-to-day basis.

“To help protect against COVID-19, hygiene shouldbefront of mind, with frequent cleansing of all work clothes. The main aim should be to take care of shoes andclothing with appropriate laundry measures, as the virus can survive on these items for hours.”

Below are the top five laundry tips shared by 5àsecforthose needing to make the daily commute to the office:

1. 
   Handle your clothes carefully 

   If you are coming from work, we recommend to immediately place the clothes into your laundry bag. Do not shake the clothes in the airto avoid the dispersion of the virus. Wearing gloves is also advisable. Leaving the clothes quarantined in the bag for one day is likely to lead to the decay of the virus.

   Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds immediately after putting the clothes in the laundry bag or in the washing machine. Wash your laundry bag frequently or, ideally, use disposable bags.

   2. Clean clothes adequately

The combination of detergent, warm water and the mechanical action of the washing machine should inactivate and remove the virus.

Wash your items at the highest recommended temperature with a good quality detergent/soap. When appropriate to the garments, the use of detergents with bleach is highly effective in deactivating the virus.

Reconsider using items that need to be washed in low temperatures (eg. silk, wollen and dark colors that may bleed). If you do, you should steam press or iron them carefully to remove pathogens.

3. Wash bedsheets at leastonce a week at high temperatures

Bed sheets should be washed at least once a week and ideally every three to four days. This helps to get rid of sweat, drool, and other fluids and shed skin cells that can affect your overall health. Dust mites feed on shed skin cells and can cause allergies and asthma.

Again, do not shake dirty laundry to avoid dispersion of the virus into the air. Wash at the highest temperature possible as per the care label (minimum of 60 degrees for light-colored linen and 40 degrees for colored), adding a color-safe bleach.

4. Tumble dry at high temperatures 

   After washing clothes, towels, beddings and other items, we recommend drying items completely at a high temperature.

If you are wary about delicate items that cannot withstand high temperatures – we recommend wearing more durable items that can withstand high temperatures or calling in a professional.

5. Iron at high temperatures to reduce wrinkles and combat germs

Now is a good time to invest in that steamer, particularly for delicate items. Steamers can be used to clean clothing and eliminate germs by applying steam.

Iron bed sheets and clothing at a high temperature as this is highly disinfectant and will eliminate the virus. Move the iron slowly.

For those who come home tired and need to focus on managing house chores and kids’ online education, 5àsec offers ‘contactless’ expert cleaning services at the touch of a button.

The sustainable laundry app is renowned for a premium service and can be found at multiple locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For more information, please visit the 5àsec app or visit https://5asec.ae/