How you handle laundering bed linens has health implications for you and your loved one.

When someone you love is undergoing chemotherapy, your instinct is to do everything you can to keep them comfortable and safe. But what you may not realize is that your own safety matters just as much — especially when it comes to something as ordinary as doing the laundry. Yes, the laundry. Chemotherapy drugs are powerful. After treatment, those drugs don’t just vanish from the body — they’re excreted through urine, sweat, vomit, feces, and other bodily fluids. That’s why many cancer care teams now recommend washing sheets, towels, and clothing in hot water every two to three days for a short period after treatment.

But is this really necessary? And who is this for — the patient or the caregiver? The answer is both. And the science backs it up. Please note that I am not a medical professional, just a wife and caregiver to a Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia patient. I’m sharing the science as explained to me and have dug up the facts that back up these tips. Seek professional guidance if you have any additional questions.

Chemotherapy Drug Residue: What You Need to Know

Chemotherapy medications can remain in bodily fluids for days – even weeks – after infusion treatments. That means that, after chemotherapy, drugs and their byproducts are still active in the body. They’re released gradually through:

• Urine
• Stool
• Sweat
• Saliva
• Vomit

Even trace amounts can cling to sheets, clothing, towels, or underwear. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), caregivers and healthcare workers can be exposed to these hazardous drugs through skin contact or by inhaling particles on surfaces or linens.

Why Bed Linen and Towel Handling During Chemo Infusions Matters for Caregivers

As a caregiver, you’re often in direct contact with these fabrics — when changing the bed, cuddling your loved one, or doing laundry. If drug residues are present, they can transfer to your skin and absorb into your body without you even realizing it.

“Even low-level exposure over time may result in reproductive problems, skin rashes, and increased cancer risk.”
— NIOSH Hazardous Drug Alert

This is why many oncology nurses and cancer centers now recommend using gloves, washing linens in hot water, and taking other basic precautions — even when your loved one is resting at home.

Why Clean Bed Linens Matter for the Person Receiving Chemotherapy

The person undergoing chemotherapy may be immunocompromised — meaning their body has fewer defenses to fight off bacteria or skin irritants. Unwashed or contaminated sheets can trap:

• Bacteria from sweat
• Residual toxins
• Dead skin cells

This can lead to rashes, infections, and added discomfort, especially when the immune system is already weakened. Even if linens don’t look dirty, they may still harbor microscopic traces of chemotherapy drugs — especially in sweat and skin oils.

What the Experts Recommend: Evidence-Based Laundry Practices

Here’s what trusted authorities at the American Cancer Society (ACS) and health organizations suggest:

• Wash them twice in hot water with regular laundry detergent. Do not wash them with other clothes.
• Any clothes or sheets that have body fluids on them should be washed in your washing machine – not by hand.
• Wash contaminated linens separately from household laundry using hot water, detergent, and bleach if tolerated.
• Most experts suggest wearing gloves when handling items exposed to bodily fluids.

Step-by-Step: Safe Laundry Practices After Chemotherapy

We’ve mentioned part of these already, but they’re important enough to reinforce.

• Use disposable gloves when handling sheets, towels, or clothes soiled with bodily fluids.
• Wash contaminated items separately from the rest of the household laundry.
• Use hot water (130°F or higher) and detergent. Add bleach if the fabric tolerates it.
• Run the load twice, especially if heavily soiled.
• Avoid hand-washing. Always use the washing machine.
• Dry on high heat, which helps break down remaining residues.
• Disinfect the washer regularly during this time with a hot water + bleach rinse.
• These practices should continue for 48 to 72 hours after each chemo treatment, and in some cases up to two to three weeks, depending on the specific medication used. Check with your oncology or hematology team.

What Makes Chemotherapy Drugs So Potent (and Hazardous) That You Need Special Bed Linen Handling?

Chemotherapy drugs are cytotoxic — they are designed to kill rapidly dividing cells. That’s what makes them effective against cancer, but it also makes them risky for healthy people, particularly with repeat low-level exposure. In fact, multiples studies have shown that pharmacy workers and nurses who prepare or handle chemotherapy drugs without proper precautions experience higher rates of:

• Skin irritation
• Infertility
• Genetic damage
• Secondary cancers

The NIOSH Alert: Preventing Occupational Exposure to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings specifically warns that even indirect contact with chemo drugs can be harmful to caregivers — especially in home care environments where industrial-level PPE is not used.

Compassionate Care Is Also Safe Care

We know you’re already doing everything you can — emotionally and physically — to support your loved one through chemotherapy. This guidance isn’t meant to add stress. In fact, it’s intended to give you peace of mind. You don’t need special equipment or expensive products. Just:

• A solid routine,
• A bit of extra care,
• And knowledge of the “why” behind these practices.

“The more you understand the science, the better you can care — not only for your loved one, but for yourself.” – Dee, Founder – waldenstromstrong.com

Free Resource for Caregivers: Laundry and Cleaning Guide for Cancer Caregivers

To make this even easier, we’ve created a free printable checklist to help you stay organized and confident: my Chemo Laundry & Home Safety Checklist for Caregivers
This downloadable guide includes a step-by-step laundry care routine. information on how often to launder specific items, notes section for your questions and reminders

Click here to download your free laundry and cleaning checklist for Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia caregivers now.

Caring for a Cancer or Lymphoma Patient? You’re Not Alone

Whether you’re a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend, your caregiving efforts make an immeasurable difference. Just remember: caring for someone else also means caring for yourself. Laundry may seem like a small task, but it’s one more way to show love — safely, smartly, and confidently. If you have any questions about home safety during chemo, always consult your oncology nurse or care team. They want you to be informed and protected, too.