Beware! Covid-19 can spread through shoe soles, warns CDC

It has become more important now than ever for medical workers who are battling the dreaded coronavirus on the frontlines to sanitise their shoes.

A study conducted in one the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) journals titled Emerging Infectious Diseases, it was found that about half of healthcare professionals working in intensive care units carried coronavirus on the soles of their shoes. The report also found that there was a 100 per cent positive rate from the floor of the pharmacy, where only healthcare workers and no patients travelled.

 "We highly recommend that persons disinfect shoe soles before walking out of wards containing Covid-19 patients," advised researchers.

Up until now, there has been no advisory on the best methods for cleaning shoes to best protect against the virus.

However, recently, a TikTok post by a nurse about the disinfectant routine has gone viral. In her post, she demonstrated how she was placing shoes in bleach overnight.

Shoes made from fabrics like mesh or canvas can be cleaned in the washing machine. The NHS has advised people to wash fabrics at a very high temperatures (140°F) with a detergent that contains bleach to have best disinfectant results. (Bleach has been clinically proven to kill bacteria and viruses.)

While machine washing can damage shoes made of certain material like leather or other man-made materials, they can, however, be cleaned using regular dish or hand washing soap and water. It is also advised to check a small portion of leather first before washing it as it may alter the look of the material. To disinfect shoes, make a mixture of 70 per cent alcohol and water, advised CDC.