How to Do Laundry When Someone Is Sick

October 12, 2026 1 minute read

Cold and flu season brings more than tissues and tea. Fevers and night sweats mean sheets, pajamas, and towels get damp and dirty faster than usual, right when nobody has the energy to keep up. A few simple habits make the extra laundry easier to manage and can help keep germs from making the rounds through your household.

Why do the flu and colds create so much more laundry?

Because your body is working overtime, and your bedding absorbs the results. When a fever breaks, the body cools itself down by sweating, which is why so many people wake up with soaked sheets and pajamas while they're sick.

A few other things add to the pile:

More hours in bed means pillowcases and sheets collect more sweat and skin oils.
Hand towels and bath towels get used more often by everyone in the house.
Blankets, robes, and loungewear get worn for days at a time.

Can cold and flu germs live on sheets and towels?

Yes, for a while. A study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found flu viruses lasted less than 8 to 12 hours on cloth, compared with 24 to 48 hours on hard surfaces like stainless steel and plastic.

Laundry isn't the main way colds and flu spread. According to the CDC, most flu transmission happens through droplets from coughs and sneezes. Less often, people catch it by touching a contaminated surface and then their mouth, nose, or eyes. That's why how you handle dirty laundry matters as much as how you wash it: the goal is to keep germs on the fabric and off your hands.

How should you do laundry when someone has the flu or a cold?

Wash a little more often, use warmer water when the fabric allows, and handle dirty items gently. Here's the sick-day routine:

Swap in fresh pillowcases and towels every two days. Swap sooner if they're damp from night sweats. Give the sick person their own towel so the whole household isn't sharing one.
Wash on the warmest setting the care label allows. University of Arizona researchers recommend the highest temperature the label allows when someone is ill, and the CDC says to dry items completely, since damp fabric left sitting gives germs and odor more time to linger.
Don't shake dirty laundry. University of Arizona researchers advise against it, since shaking can spread germs to your hands and other surfaces. Carry items to the washer without hugging them against your body.
Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry. Do it before you touch your face, food, or the fresh load.
Wipe down the hamper. The CDC recommends cleaning hampers and laundry baskets. Wash the liner too, if yours has one.
Once everyone's feeling better, wash all the bedding. That includes blankets and throws that got extra use on the couch.

Keep the extra loads simple

No special products are needed to wash a sick person's laundry. Your usual detergent and the right water setting do the job. Pre-measured pods take one step out of the routine when you're running extra loads on low energy. University of Arizona researchers note that germs survive better surrounded by dirt and body fluids, which is why they recommend detergents with enzymes that break up that organic matter. Dropps Laundry Pods contain enzymes that help break down sweat and body soils, so sheets and pajamas come out fresh after a few rounds of night sweats. If strong scents feel like too much while someone is under the weather, Sensitive Skin Laundry Pods, Unscented are a gentle, fragrance-free option.

FAQ

Do I need to wash a sick person's laundry separately? No. The CDC says a sick person's laundry can be washed with everyone else's. What matters more is careful handling and washing your hands afterward. The exception is a stomach bug, whose germs are harder to kill, so wash those items separately.

Do I need bleach to wash laundry after the flu? Not for typical household illness. University of Arizona researchers say bleach and laundry sanitizers aren't needed for the viruses that cause colds and flu. They do recommend them for stomach bugs.

Can you catch the flu from handling dirty laundry? It's possible, but simple habits lower the risk. The CDC says flu spreads through contaminated surfaces less often than through droplets. Still, avoid touching your face while sorting laundry and wash your hands as soon as you're done.

Can I wash sick laundry in cold water? Yes, if that's what the care label calls for. University of Arizona researchers say a deep-cleaning detergent provides adequate protection against cold and flu viruses when hot water isn't an option. Dry items completely either way.

Should I wear gloves to handle sick laundry? They help. University of Arizona researchers recommend disposable gloves for a sick person's laundry. If you skip them, avoid touching your face while handling dirty items and wash your hands right after.