Here's How Long COVID-19 Can Live on Surfaces and Fabrics

SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets from an infected person talking, sneezing, or coughing. These droplets can also end up on different surfaces. COVID can live on surfaces and fabrics for a few hours up to a few days.

The likelihood of surface transmission with COVID is low, occurring in less than one in 10,000 cases. You can still lower the risk of infection by cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and clothes.

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

The most common mode of transmission for COVID is close contact with someone who's sick. An infected person can spread the virus when they breathe, cough, sing, sneeze, or talk within 6 feet of another person. They emit infectious droplets into the air that can land in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

The virus can also be airborne and spread more than 6 feet away, especially in places that are poorly ventilated. This mode of transmission is less common than close contact.

Surface transmission is less likely than other modes. This is when you touch something that's been infected with infectious droplets and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

How Long Does COVID-19 Last on Surfaces and Fabrics?

Scientists have looked at the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to survive on different materials, including clothing, for different periods. Some evidence suggests that the virus can last on non-porous surfaces—including glass, porcelain, or stainless steel—for up to 72 hours.

The length of time on clothing has varied. A study published in 2020 reported that SARS-CoV-2 can remain viable on human skin for up to nine hours. Other research has shown that the virus may remain viable on clothing for up to 24 hours.

Here's a look at how long SARS-CoV-2 can last on different kinds of surfaces:

Other factors affecting how long the virus remains on a surface are temperature and humidity or moisture. Higher temperatures and drier surfaces keep SARS-CoV-2 from surviving. Lower temperatures and wetter surfaces can allow the virus to be detected up to 48 days later.

Survival Times by Variant

SARS-CoV-2 has mutated, or changed, as it's spread quickly from person to person. Different variants, such as Delta and Omicron, have emerged to evade treatments and vaccines. Research has shown that newer variants are more contagious than previous ones.

Some evidence suggests that contagiousness doesn't mean these variants live longer on surfaces. A study published in 2023 found that Omicron actually is less able to survive for long periods outside of the body.

What You Can Do

You can clean the surfaces in your home and your clothes as usual if nobody in your household has tested positive for COVID or displayed any symptoms. It's probably a good idea to machine wash the clothes you wear outside when you get home if you've been out in public in crowded areas. Washing clothes in hot water in a washing machine using detergent has been shown to eliminate the virus.

Extra precautions must be taken if someone in your household has confirmed or suspected COVID. You can protect yourself and your family by:

• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that people regularly touch, such as counters, doorknobs, and light switches
• Using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely
• Washing your hands after handling dirty laundry
• Wearing gloves and a mask if you're handling dirty laundry from someone who has COVID

The American Chemistry Council has compiled a list of products that can be used against emerging viral pathogens and COVID. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also put together a list of disinfectants that can help to work against the virus.

No recommendations have been issued to suggest you shouldn't hand-wash clothes at home. You'll get a much higher temperature if you use a machine, which is part of machine-washing recommendations.

When Should You Worry?

It's important to take precautions against COVID, even though the virus is less likely to spread from surface to person. Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home and clothes if someone in your household has a confirmed or suspected infection. You don't need to throw away items like bedding or clothing, but make sure to get rid of trash. It's also a good idea to throw away and replace your toothbrush after you've been sick.

Other ways to protect against COVID include staying up-to-date with vaccines and boosters, social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing a mask. These steps can help stop the spread of the virus.

A Quick Review

The virus that causes COVID can last on surfaces and fabrics, depending on the material, from a few hours to many days. You can eliminate or reduce the presence of the virus by washing clothes at a high temperature and cleaning and sanitizing surfaces.

Remember that it's important to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID. This means getting vaccinated and boosted, social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing a mask.

The information in this story is accurate as of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.