How should contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) be washed?

Contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be washed properly to ensure the removal of harmful substances and to maintain a safe working environment. Washing contaminated PPE in two cycles of hot water effectively eliminates pathogens and contaminants that may be present on the gear. The initial hot water cycle helps to break down and kill many infectious agents, while the second cycle further ensures thorough cleaning and disinfection. Adding a cycle with no clothes afterwards helps to rinse out any remaining detergent or debris from the washing machine, preventing cross-contamination for future laundry loads.

Using cold water only or hand washing with soap and cold water would not provide sufficient disinfection and cleaning power. Additionally, relying solely on detergent without hot water lacks the effectiveness needed to tackle strong contaminants typically found on PPE. Each of these incorrect options fails to address the necessary heat to deactivate potential pathogens effectively, making the two-cycle hot water approach the optimal method for cleaning contaminated PPE.