How to Clean Hospital Bed Sheets

With bacteria and viruses rampant in health care facilities, the proper cleaning and disinfection of bed sheets is essential to stopping the spread of these organisms. Specific guidelines must be followed to ensure cross contamination does not occur. With careful handling and proper procedures, hospital bed sheets can be successfully cleaned and disinfected for the safety of patients.

Things You'll Need

• Latex gloves
• Bleach
• Rubbing alcohol
• Washing machine
• Dryer
• Spray bottle
• Laundry detergent

Instructions

Laundering Hospital Bed Sheets

1. Put on protective eye, hand and facewear to reduce exposure to dangerous pathogens.

2. Remove large pieces of soil and debris from the bed sheets and dispose of them in a bio-hazard marked container.

3. Roll up the sheets and launder them with half a cup of bleach and a strong laundry detergent. The temperature of the water should reach at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celcius). This will aid in killing germs and bacteria on the hospital bed sheets.

4. Place cleaned bed sheets into a dryer and adjust the temperature to the highest setting.

5. Remove dried hospital bed sheets from the dryer and fit on a clean bed.

Disinfecting Clean Hospital Bed Sheets

1. Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol.

2. Lightly spray the surface of the bed sheets to further disinfect the fabric and prevent the spread of bacteria.

3. Allow the sheets to dry before covering with a clean blanket. The alcohol will evaporate quickly and leave the sheets dry and ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a fabric softener to the washing machine for more comfortable sheets.

• Do not use rubbing alcohol near any heat source or open flames as it is extremely flamable. Be sure to scrub your hands thoroughly and any body part that may have come into contact with dirty bedding, with anti-bacterial soap.

References

• Laundry and Dishwasher Info
• Medical Supplies and Equipment