What is the minimum wash water temperature required in a hospital laundry?

The minimum wash water temperature required in a hospital laundry is 160-167°F. This temperature range is critical as it ensures effective disinfection of fabrics, especially in environments like hospitals where sanitation is paramount. At these temperatures, many pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, are effectively killed, reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

Using water at these temperatures also helps to optimize the performance of laundry detergents, as higher temperatures can enhance the cleaning action by promoting the breakdown of soil and stains. In contrast, lower temperatures may not achieve the necessary level of disinfection, making it less effective for medical linens that could be contaminated with infectious agents.

In the context of the other temperature ranges provided, lower temperatures may not adequately ensure disinfection, while excessively high temperatures might lead to fabric damage, which is why the selected range is considered the most effective balance for sanitizing hospital laundry.