Top Tips If you cannot go let us know!

Every month around 2,000 people across Forth

Always wash your hands with soap and water after
handling dirty clothing and before handling clean
clothing.
Valley fail to turn up for hospital appointments.
This costs the NHS millions of pounds each year
and increases waiting times. So if you are unable
to attend or no longer require your hospital
appointment please let us know so we can offer it
to someone else.
NHS Forth Valley

We are happy to consider requests for this

publication in other languages or formats such
as large print. Please call 01324 590886 (24hrs),
fax 01324 590867 or email
a
FV-UHB.disabilitydepartment@nhs.net
Make sure that your washing machine and tumble
drier are working well. For example, remove fluff
from the tumble drier filter and use the correct For all the latest health news visit Washing
amount of washing powder or detergent. www.nhsforthvalley.com
Try not to rinse dirty clothes by hand. But, if you
need to, you should wear rubber gloves. Rinse the
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@NHSForthValley
Clothes
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items by placing them completely underwater to
avoid splashing and spreading germs onto the
nearby area (for example worktops). If you have to
at Home
use a plastic container toarea (forthe
wash example
items, take care SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED ON NHS
w FORTH VALLEY PREMISES
when you throw the used water down the drain.
This includes corridors, doorways, car parks
Clean the sink afterwards with your usual kitchen and any of our grounds. If you do smoke on
cleaner. You should then wash the clothing using f NHS premises you may be liable to
the steps in this leaflet. prosecution and a fine.

Information for people in

hospitals or care homes and
NHS Forth Valley their relatives
Administration Offices
Westburn Avenue,
R
Falkirk FK1 5SU
www.nhsforthvalley.com

PIL/1034/WCCS Review Date: 2020

 l Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
Who should read this leaflet? Is there ever a situation warm water;
when I should not take l Clean the area around your washing machine,
This leaflet is for anyone who washes their friend’s clothing home? such as the door of the machine and worktops,
or relative’s clothing at home. with your usual kitchen cleaner.
Occasionally staff may recommend that you use
Is there a risk of infection to the laundry service in the hospital or residence if Step 3. Wash the clothing using the highest
my family if I take clothing this is available. In very rare circumstances it may temperature you can and following the
be necessary to dispose of clothing but this will be washing instructions.
home from a hospital or
discussed with you. l Use your normal washing powder or detergent
residence? and follow the instructions on the correct
The risk of infection to you and your family is low, How should I handle laundry Use your amount
normal to use. Use your normal
w w
WaI take home?
but the information in this leaflet will help you Wa
handle the clothes safely.
Step 1. Take the clothes home Use your normal
in the tied plastic bag provided w
Who should I ask if I need Wa
by ward/residence staff.
extra advice on how to wash Wash clothes as soon as possible.
the clothes at home? Step 2.
The staff at the ward or residence will tell you Either Step 4. Tumble dry the clothes (if possible)
what to do, such as washing your hands or Remove items from the plastic bag h and put following the washing instructions.
Wa
wearing gloves. them directly into the washing machine If you cannot tumble dry the items, dry them in
without sorting them if possible. If you have to the way you would normally e.g. on a washing
How will I carry the sort the clothes, wear rubber gloves and Ch wash
Wa line or clothes horse. If possible, use a hot
clothing home? these and your hands with soap and warm
Step 5. Iron clothes
s
water afterwards. Al
according to their
Staff will put the clothing in a plastic bag which OR
Ch washing instructions. If
will be tied securely to stop any leakage. Wa
If the clothes have been put into a special Do notbag
shake the clothing as this may cause use If
possible, a possible,
hot use a hot
put it directly into the washing machine g s steam iron.
Do not overload your washing machine as this
What if my friend or relative without
Al opening.
l Wash
w Step 6. Store clothes in
has an infection or the clothes Chthese clothes separately from your other
Th a clean and dry place If possible, use a hot
have been soiled with blood, home laundry;
s until they are ready to be used again.
body fluids or faeces and I have lDo Check
not shake
thethe clothing instructions
washing as this may cause
on care labels
Al although a 40ºC wash is best; This includes when you are taking the clothes back
been given their clothing g carefully
to a hospital or care home. Always carry clean
to take home? lDo Always
not overload
hold your washing machine
the clothing as thisyou to
away from clothes in a clean bag.
w avoid spreading germs onto your clothes;
Do not shake the clothing as this may cause
The clothes will be placed in a special bag which lTh Do not
g shake the clothing as this may cause
can be placed directly in the washing machine. germs to spread;
Do not overload your washing machine as this
l Do not
Wash clothes as per the care label. Only the bag
seams and tie will dissolve in the water to allow w overload your washing machine as this
will Th
not wash the clothes well;
proper washing. At the end of the cycle the
remains of the special bag should be removed and l Dispose of the plastic bag you used to carry
disposed of as normal household waste. the clothing home as household waste;