Standard Operating

Procedure (SOP)
For the Laundry
department

JUNE 2025

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CONTENT PAGE
Purpose and Objectives----------------------------------------------3
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE-----------------------------3
Collection of Soiled Laundry----------------------------------------6
Sorting and Pre-Treatment------------------------------------------7
Transport to Laundry Area------------------------------------------8
Washing Process-------------------------------------------------------9
Drying AND Finishing------------------------------------------------11
Clean Linen Storage---------------------------------------------------12
Distribution--------------------------------------------------------------13
Waste Disposal---------------------------------------------------------13
Equipment Cleaning & Maintenance-----------------------------14
Quality Control & Monitoring--------------------------------------14

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1. Purpose and Objectives
To ensure a hygienic, safe, and efficient laundry process that minimizes
infection risk, protects staff and patients, and complies with national
and international health standards.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

To prevent exposure to infectious agents, protect laundry staff from
occupational hazards (e.g., bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, sharp
objects), and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
through safe handling practices.

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Proper Use of PPE (Donning & Doffing Sequence)
Donning (Before Handling Soiled Laundry):
1. Perform hand hygiene (alcohol-based hand rub or soap &
water).
2. Put on gown or apron.
3. Don face mask (N95 if airborne risk is suspected).
4. Put on goggles or face shield.
5. Put on gloves over gown cuffs.

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Doffing (After Handling Laundry):
1. Remove gloves (inside-out technique) and discard.
2. Remove goggles/face shield.
3. Remove gown or apron (roll inward).
4. Remove mask last.
5. Perform hand hygiene immediately after removing PPE.

Post-Exposure Protocol (PEP): If exposure occurs (e.g., glove puncture,

contact with mucous membranes):
 Wash the area thoroughly with water and soap.
 Report to the occupational health unit immediately.
 Begin documentation and, if needed, initiate PEP based on
exposure severity.

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Collection of Soiled Laundry

Ensure safe handling and collection of soiled laundry to prevent

the spread of infection.

 Never manually sort laundry in patient care areas

 Replace bags at ¾ full to avoid overfilling
 Label with date, ward, and type

Procedure:
 Staff must wear gloves, masks, and gowns when collecting used
linen or garments.
 Use color-coded bags to separate contaminated (e.g., red) from
general-use laundry (e.g., white or blue).
 Line each hamper or cart with a leak-proof bag.
 Place no sorting signs at collection points to prevent handling of
soiled linen at the source.
 Do not shake laundry before collection to avoid aerosolizing
pathogens.
 Inpatient units: Collect laundry twice a day or as needed based
on patient load.
 Outpatient units: Collect at the end of each working shift.
 All bags must be labeled with the unit name and date before
transporting.
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Sorting and Pre-Treatment
Safely categorize and prepare laundry based on use type and
contamination level before machine washing.
Procedure:
 Conduct sorting in a well-ventilated, designated area away from
clean laundry.
 Staff must wear full PPE: gloves, gowns, masks, and eye
protection.
 Categorize laundry into:
o Bed linens
o Patient gowns
o Surgical drapes
o Towels
o Staff uniforms
o Highly contaminated items (blood/body fluids)
 Pre-soak heavily soiled items using enzymatic cleaners or a
chlorine-based disinfectant as per manufacturer guidelines.
 Do not hand-wash or spot-clean by scrubbing; use tools or pre-
treatment solutions in bins.

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Transport to Laundry Area
 The facility must maintain at least two trolleys:
o One clearly labeled “Soiled Laundry Only”
o One labeled “Clean Laundry Only”

> Each cart may be compact (manually pushed) and stored in a

designated utility space. Color-coded stickers or laminated signage are
recommended for clear distinction.

Construction and Features:

 Carts must be:

o Smooth, water-resistant (plastic or powder-coated metal)
o Easily cleanable
o Equipped with tight-closing lids or washable covers
o Rust-proof and with lockable wheels to ensure stability
during loading/unloading
 In very small facilities where trolleys are reused, thorough cleaning
and disinfection must occur between every use (see below).

Transport Routine and Flow

Given the facility’s size:
 One staff member can handle transport for both soiled and clean
laundry in staggered runs.
 Use separate trips to avoid any mixing—even temporarily.
Route Guidelines:
 If there’s only one corridor, transport soiled laundry first, clean
and disinfect the cart, then proceed with clean linen delivery.

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Washing Process
Decontaminate and clean all fabrics efficiently.
Steps:
1. Sorting and Pre-treatment (Before Wash):
o Remove visible debris and pre-soak heavily soiled items in
enzymatic or chlorine-based solution (0.1–0.5%) for 15–30
minutes, depending on fabric tolerance.
2. Load the Washing Machine:
o Ensure machine capacity is filled to no more than 75–80%
to allow free movement of textiles and water.
o Overloading can prevent proper agitation and result in
under-cleaning.
3. Cycle Configuration:
o Pre-wash (5–10 minutes): Cold or warm water rinse to
remove gross soil and body fluids.
o Main wash (20–30 minutes):
 Water temperature: ≥71°C (160°F)
 Detergent: Hospital-grade, pH-neutral or mildly
alkaline
 Disinfectant: Not needed if thermal kill is achieved,
but additive safe detergents can be used if desired
o Two Rinse Cycles:
 First rinse removes residual detergents and soil

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  Second rinse ensures chemical-free final finish
o Spin cycle: Moderate to high speed to reduce moisture
before drying
4. Verification of Thermal Disinfection:
o Use built-in temperature monitors or chemical
indicators/temperature log strips in loads to verify cycle
compliance
5. After Each Cycle:
o Leave washer door open for ventilation and dry-out to
prevent mold or microbial regrowth.

 After every 10 loads, machines should be run with empty cycle

containing disinfectant to maintain bioburden control.

Follow equipment calibration logs and maintenance checks weekly.

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Drying AND Finishing
Mechanical Drying Procedure
If the facility is equipped with a tumble dryer:
 Machine Settings:
o Use a high-heat cycle of at least 70°C (158°F) for a
minimum of 30 minutes. This achieves both drying
and further thermal disinfection.
o Do not overload the dryer—limit to 75% of drum
capacity for optimal airflow and uniform drying.
 Safety Checks:
o Ensure lint filters are cleared before each load to
prevent fire hazards and maintain efficiency.
o Monitor temperature display or use an external
thermometer to ensure compliance with thermal
thresholds.
 Separate Loads: Dry surgical items (e.g., OR drapes, gowns)
separately from general linen to avoid cross-contact.

 Iron linens like pillowcases, gowns, and surgical textiles using

steam press or flatwork ironers.
 Linen should be handled only with clean, gloved hands during
folding.

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  Folded linen is placed in clean plastic-lined bins, labeled by linen
type and target department.

Clean Linen Storage

Storage Requirements:
 Store in a well-ventilated, enclosed room labeled "Clean Linen
Storage".
 Environment:
o Temperature: 20–25°C
o Relative Humidity: <60%
o Must be free of pests, moisture, or open vents

 Organize linen shelves by item type (top to bottom: gowns,

sheets, towels).
 Items stored for more than 72 hours without use must be
reprocessed.

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10. Distribution
Safe Handling:
 Linen is distributed using covered carts cleaned before and after
use.
 Distribution routes must avoid soiled zones and patient treatment
areas.
 Clean linen should never touch the floor, walls, or personal
clothing during delivery.
 Each ward signs a linen receipt log to track movement.

11. Waste Disposal

Protocols:
 Disposable items (non-woven gowns, contaminated single-use
towels) go into red biomedical waste bins.
 Torn or stained linens beyond repair must be logged and
discarded.
 Maintain linen rejection log including item ID, unit, and reason for
disposal.

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12. Equipment Cleaning & Maintenance
Schedule:
 Daily: Exterior of washers, dryers, carts wiped with disinfectant
 Weekly: Descaling or internal cleaning cycle
 Monthly: Mechanical maintenance and performance check
 Quarterly: Calibration of temperature and cycle duration

All activities must be documented in a cleaning and maintenance

logbook.
13. Quality Control & Monitoring
Evaluation Points:
 Daily Checks:
o Linen cleanliness
o Stains or odors
o Proper folding and packaging
 Monthly Audit:
Spot microbiological checks if feasible
 Documentation:
o Collection/distribution logs
o Equipment cleaning logs
o Incident reports or complaints resolution

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