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If clothing or a surface may have been grossly contaminated with plague bacteria, handle clothing gently, wash exposed skin with soap and water, and clean hard surfaces before using an appropriate disinfectant. Contact a medical provider or local public-health authority promptly about a plausible exposure: cleanup does not assess or treat it.
First, assess the possible exposure
Contact a medical provider or local health department promptly if you think an exposure may have occurred. Explain what happened and when, including any contact with a potentially infected animal or flea, or with a person who has pneumonic plague. The right response depends on the circumstances; there is no universal self-triage procedure for every scenario.
Plague is not primarily a laundry problem. The CDC says people usually get plague from a bite by an infected rodent flea or by handling an infected animal: CDC guidance on preventing plague. Cleaning clothing or surfaces cannot determine whether you were exposed, and it should not delay medical or public-health advice.
What to do with clothing after possible plague exposure
For gross contamination
OSHA says that after gross exposure, personal decontamination can involve removing contaminated clothing and washing exposed skin with soap and water. It characterizes the risk of plague bacteria becoming airborne again from contaminated clothing as low: OSHA plague controls. Handle potentially contaminated clothing with minimal agitation: do not shake it or dry-brush it.
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- DISINFECTING AND SANITIZING SPRAY: Lysol disinfects hard non-porous contact surfaces and sanitizes soft surfaces. This multipurpose spray can be used in the home and kitchen, to disinfect toys, couches, counters(3), bathrooms, and over 100 more surfaces.
- ANTI-BACTERIAL ROOM SPRAY: Lysol Disinfectant Spray kills over 100 illness causing germs in high-touch areas. This multi-purpose spray tackles germs in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, to protect loved ones from the spread of cold and flu viruses.
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For household laundering
Follow the garment care label and the washer and dryer instructions. The CDC’s general community-facility guidance recommends using the warmest water setting appropriate for the items and drying laundry completely: CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfecting.
That general advice is not a plague-specific laundry protocol. The cited guidance does not set a special plague wash temperature, cycle duration, or laundry additive. Do not add bleach unless the garment label permits it and the product directions or public-health advice support its use.
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How to clean hard surfaces
- Clean first. Remove visible soil with soap or detergent and water.
- Choose a suitable disinfectant. If disinfection is appropriate, use an EPA-registered product suitable for both the surface and the known germ.
- Follow the product label. Apply it as directed and keep the surface wet for the specified contact time. The CDC’s general facility guidance also warns against using cleaning or disinfecting products on skin.
These are general cleaning steps, not a plague-specific household surface protocol. Use the product label and public-health advice for the particular situation.
If using household bleach
The CDC says regular, unscented household bleach containing 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite can be used on many household surfaces when diluted according to the product label. Never mix bleach with other cleaners or disinfectants. If label directions are unavailable, the CDC says to leave the diluted solution on the surface for at least one minute, keeping it visibly wet: CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfecting with bleach. This is general household guidance, not a plague-specific bleach formula.
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- LYSOL DISINFECTANT SPRAY: This household essential is tested and proven to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria(1), including the Covid-19 virus, Hantavirus(5), Norovirus, and cold and flu(2). Perfect for any room, this Lysol spray will sanitize, disinfect, and deodorize your home.
- DISINFECTING AND SANITIZING SPRAY: Lysol disinfects hard non-porous contact surfaces and sanitizes soft surfaces. This multipurpose spray can be used in the home and kitchen, to disinfect toys, couches, counters(3), bathrooms, and over 100 more surfaces.
- ANTI-BACTERIAL ROOM SPRAY: Lysol Disinfectant Spray kills over 100 illness causing germs in high-touch areas. This multi-purpose spray tackles germs in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, to protect loved ones from the spread of cold and flu viruses.
- UPHOLSTERY DEODORIZER: Lysol kills 99.9% of odor causing bacteria(1) and helps kill and prevent mold and mildew. Suitable for households with pets and kids, effectively eliminate odors on fabric, with our rugs, couch, furniture, and shoe deodorizer.
- HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS and CLEANING SUPPLIES: Lysol is a leader in disinfection. Shop our range of household cleaning supplies including disinfectant wipes, toilet bowl cleaners, air sanitizers, and laundry sanitizers. The best protection is prevention
When household cleanup is not the right protocol
Healthcare, laboratory, animal-carcass, workplace, and suspected deliberate-release incidents require the responsible facility’s infection-control procedures and instructions from public-health authorities. Do not apply household laundry or surface-cleaning advice to a large or occupational release.
For equipment used after transporting a suspected or confirmed plague patient, the CDC’s emergency guidance says to use standard disinfection procedures; it also says to handle linens with care: CDC guidance for responding to a plague bioterrorism event.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- LYSOL DISINFECTANT SPRAY: This household essential is tested and proven to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including the Covid-19 virus and cold and flu. Perfect for any room, this Lysol spray will sanitize, disinfect, and deodorize your home.
- DISINFECTING AND SANITIZING SPRAY: Lysol disinfects hard non-porous contact surfaces and sanitizes soft surfaces. This multipurpose spray can be used in the home and kitchen, to disinfect toys, couches, counters, bathrooms, and over 100 more surfaces.
- ANTI-BACTERIAL ROOM SPRAY: Lysol Disinfectant Spray kills over 100 illness causing germs in high-touch areas. This multi-purpose spray tackles germs in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, to protect loved ones from the spread of cold and flu viruses.
- UPHOLSTERY DEODORIZER: Lysol kills 99.9% of odor causing bacteria and helps kill and prevent mold and mildew. Essential for households with pets and kids, effectively eliminate odors on fabric, with our rugs, couch, furniture, and shoe deodorizer.
- HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS & CLEANING SUPPLIES: Lysol is a leader in disinfection. Shop our range of household cleaning supplies including disinfectant wipes, toilet bowl cleaners, air sanitizers, and laundry sanitizers. The best protection is prevention!
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- KILLS 99.9% OF VIRUSES* AND BACTERIA**: Powerful disinfectant spray eliminates harmful germs and pathogens on contact
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
