A comprehensive approach for evaluating the virucidal performance of domestic laundry detergents under practical conditions.

This article focuses on developing a laboratory-scale method using the Rotawash washing machine to assess the virucidal efficacy of domestic laundry detergents under practical conditions, based on the bacteriological standard EN 17658. The study evaluated three test viruses—murine norovirus (MNV), modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), and bovine coronavirus (BCoV)—and found that MNV and MVA maintained sufficient infectivity on cotton carriers after drying and washing, while BCoV showed lower recovery and was deemed less relevant. Testing with a bleach-free detergent at 40°C demonstrated limited virucidal efficacy against the resistant non-enveloped MNV, with results from the Rotawash closely aligning with those from domestic washing machines and showing greater virus reduction than suspension tests, highlighting the importance of mechanical action in virus removal. This method provides a standardized, practical approach to evaluate laundry detergent performance in reducing viral contamination on textiles, supporting infection prevention and sustainable laundering practices.