Table 4. Domestic and industrial laundering parameters used for healthcare textiles according to national policies within the UK, Germany and USA.

Country	Laundering parameters	References
United Kingdom	Domestic Laundering (NHS healthcare uniforms) Hottest temperature that the fabric can withstand; policy states that washing at 60 °C for 10 min removes “almost all microorganisms” whilst washing with detergent at 30° C eliminates MRSA and most other Gram-positive bacteria. Industrial Laundering (linen and scrubs) Thermal Disinfection: 60 °C for 10 min or 71 °C for 3 min plus mixing time based on weight of the load. Chemical Disinfection: lower temperatures are permitted if the process is equal to or more effective than thermal disinfection.	NHS (2020) U.K. Department of Health (2016a)
Germany	Industrial Laundering Thermal Disinfection: 90 °C for 10 minutes Chemical Disinfection: Using an approved agent outlined by the RKI.	Fijan, Cencic & Turk (2006); Heintz & Bohnen (2011)
United States of America	Industrial Laundering Thermal disinfection: ≥71 °C for 25 min in a wash with detergent Chemical Disinfection: Chemicals used should be suitable for use at low temperatures	CDC (2003)