Biosecurity Insights: Don't Forget the Laundry Room

When people think about biosecurity in veterinary practice, attention often focuses on kennels, consult rooms, theatres and equipment. Yet one important area is often overlooked: laundry.

Every day, veterinary teams handle towels, bedding, blankets, scrubs and uniforms, which come into contact with animals, bodily fluids and the wider practice environment. Effective washing plays an important role in maintaining hygiene standards and supporting a clean, professional clinical environment.

Veterinary Laundry Faces Unique Challenges

Veterinary textiles are exposed to far more than ordinary household washing.

Patient bedding may be contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva, blood or wound discharge. Towels used during bathing and cleaning can quickly develop persistent odours. Staff uniforms are exposed to a wide variety of contaminants throughout the working day.

While washing removes visible dirt and debris, practices should also consider the comfort of patients and staff, the longevity of fabrics and the environmental impact of the products being used.

Why Laundry Products Matter

Many conventional laundry detergents are designed for household use rather than animal environments. Some contain ingredients that may be harsh on fabrics, leave residues behind, or contribute to environmental pollution.

Safe4 Laundry Liquid has been developed with animal environments in mind. It is:

• Hypoallergenic
• pH neutral
• Phosphate free
• Oxygen bleach free
• Optical brightener free
• Built-in deodoriser
• Suitable for machine or hand washing
• Safe for animal bedding, blankets, uniforms and other veterinary textiles These features make it particularly suitable for veterinary practices, rescue centres, grooming facilities and other animal care environments where textiles are washed frequently.

Supporting Animal Welfare

Animals can be sensitive to chemicals, fragrances and residues left behind on bedding and blankets.

Using a hypoallergenic laundry product can help reduce the risk of irritation while still providing an effective clean. Safe4 Laundry Liquid contains a fragrance formulation designed to minimise common allergenic components and is gentle on fabrics, making it suitable for repeated use on items that come into direct contact with animals.

This can be particularly valuable in veterinary hospitals, rescue centres and catteries where patients may already be stressed, recovering from illness or have sensitive skin.

Tackling Veterinary Odours

Anyone who has worked in veterinary practice knows that certain smells can be difficult to remove from fabrics.

Bedding, towels and uniforms can quickly absorb animal odours, particularly in busy hospital or kennel environments. Safe4 Laundry Liquid incorporates a built-in deodoriser to help leave fabrics fresh and ready for use without relying on harsh chemicals.

Supporting Antimicrobial Stewardship

Laundry is an often-overlooked component of infection prevention and control in veterinary settings. Bedding, towels and uniforms can become contaminated during routine patient care and may contribute to environmental bacterial burden if not cleaned effectively.

Safe4 Laundry Liquid has been independently tested to EN13727:2012+A1:2013 and demonstrated bactericidal activity against MRSA at 60°C with a 5-minute contact time under dirty conditions.

As veterinary teams continue to focus on antimicrobial stewardship and reducing the spread of healthcare-associated pathogens, effective laundering protocols can play an important role in supporting wider infection control measures and maintaining a clean clinical environment.

A More Environmentally Responsible Choice

Environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly important across veterinary practice.

Safe4 Laundry Liquid is phosphate free and does not contain optical brighteners, helping to minimise its impact on aquatic ecosystems compared with some traditional laundry products. The concentrated formula also means relatively small amounts are required per wash, reducing packaging waste and transport requirements.

Practical Tips for Veterinary Laundry

Alongside choosing an appropriate laundry detergent, practices can support good hygiene by:

• Separating heavily soiled items where appropriate
• Washing bedding and towels promptly after use
• Following manufacturer washing instructions
• Ensuring laundry areas remain clean and organised
• Storing clean textiles separately from dirty laundry
• Regularly reviewing laundry processes as part of wider biosecurity protocols

Final Thoughts

Good biosecurity extends beyond cleaning surfaces and equipment. Towels, bedding, blankets and uniforms form part of the patient environment and deserve the same attention as any other aspect of infection prevention.

By using products specifically designed for animal environments, veterinary teams can support cleanliness, animal comfort, staff wellbeing and environmental responsibility as part of their overall biosecurity programme.

Visit our online shop to take a look at our range of products - we have our laundry liquid available in 1L and 5L bottles.