Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information.
As we continue to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we wanted to take a moment to reach out and let you know how we are handling this developing situation at Acosta’s Cleaners. As always, our main priority is to ensure the health and safety of our customers and staff.
CDC recommendations on clothing, towels, linens and other items that go in the laundry.
Safety
Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person and then discard
after each use. If using reusable gloves, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning
and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other household
purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
If no gloves are used when handling dirty laundry, be sure to wash hands afterwards.
If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing
virus through the air.
Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If
possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and
dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s
items.
Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces. If
possible, consider placing a bag liner that is either disposable (can be thrown away) or
can be laundered.
We are taking every precaution possible, conducting extra cleanings of frequently
touched surfaces, our machines, and the surfaces that come in contact with soiled
garments.
We have implemented extra precautions to process and handle incoming clothing to
protect our customers and staff.
Dry Cleaning
1. We will be handling each customer’s orders individually at the first point of contact. After each order is properly tagged and processed, it will be sealed in an individual plastic bag and will remain that way until process here or washing facility.
2. We will be implementing a TWO step process for cleaning ALL garments. Once the garments are in our facility, they will be dry cleaned/laundered right away by us directly by us properly. At this step, we will increase the temperature settings that we utilize to the maximum safe temperature that is appropriate to every garment.
3. All of the spot cleaning and stain removal process will be performed after this initial cleaning step.
4. After spot cleaning and stain removal process, it will be then dry cleaned/laundered and processed as we usually do.
5. All dry cleaned/laundered items also go through an additional steaming process which heats items to between 248°F and 302°F. According to the CDC, flu viruses are killed by heat above 167°F.
6. Every order will then be enclosed in our usual plastic bags for protection and cleanliness.
Deliveries and Counter
1. We will continue (until further notice) our normal hours of operation, including free pickup and delivery of all Dry Cleaning and Wash & Fold, 6 days a week.
2. All of our staff will handle your garments with gloves and will wear a mask after the garments have been cleaned.
3. Our delivery staff will be provided with masks, gloves, and plastic bags to seal every order that they receive.
We are taking this situation very seriously and will be doing everything in our power to continue to provide you with the best and safest service.
This shall pass, and we have no doubt in our minds that as a community we are strong and will unite in this tough times.
Extra steps we are taking:
Wash & Fold
1. We will be handling each customer’s orders individually at the first point of contact. After each order is received we will properly process it sealed in an individual plastic bag and will remain that way until processing at the washing machine.
2. We will have a reserved area for sorting each order individually for color/appropriate temperature cleaning. This area will be isolated to avoid cross contamination from any order that has been already cleaned. After washing and drying, garments will be folded and wrapped in plastic in a separate area from soiled garments to ensure cleanliness.
We are taking this situation very seriously and will be doing everything in our power to continue to provide you with the best and safest service.
This shall pass, and we have no doubt in our minds that as a community we are strong and will unite in this tough times.
-Edward Acosta