Topics in this section:

How soiled or contaminated laundry is handled is very important for the safety and well-being of residents and staff.

What is the difference between soiled and contaminated laundry?

Laundry is soiled if it has been handled or used.

Laundry is contaminated if there is blood or other body fluids (semen, vaginal secretions, saliva with visible blood, etc.) present on the item.

If a person has an infectious disease (hepatitis, MRSA, other multiple drug-resistant organisms) or is on contact precautions, then their feces or vomitus also causes laundry to be contaminated.

To be safe from potentially infectious materials, as well as for good hygiene practices, you should always wear gloves when handling soiled or contaminated laundry.  You should also remove or change to clean gloves before handling clean laundry.