What should be done after washing contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE)?

After washing contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE), running the washer through an additional cycle without clothing is an important step. This process helps ensure that any residual contaminants or chemicals that may not have been completely removed during the initial wash are eliminated. The additional cycle also serves to clean the washing machine itself, maintaining its hygiene for subsequent loads.

In settings where contamination could involve hazardous materials, it is essential to uphold cleanliness not only for the PPE but also for the equipment involved in cleaning it. This practice is particularly critical in preventing cross-contamination between different loads of laundry, especially in environments such as healthcare, laboratories, or industrial applications.

While hanging the PPE to dry may seem a reasonable choice, it does not address the need to thoroughly cleanse the washing machine of any contaminants. Discarding PPE after washing contradicts the purpose of the washing process, and soaking items in bleach solution could be hazardous and unnecessary if the washing cycle is sufficient for decontamination.