How long do flu germs live on hard surfaces, fabric, and skin

• The influenza virus that causes the flu can live for up to three days on hard surfaces like subway poles and door handles.
• The influenza virus can only live for about 8 to 12 hours on fabric.
• Since skin produces anti-microbial substances that kill germs, the flu virus can only live for 5 minutes on the body.
• This article was medically reviewed by Tania Elliott, MD, who specializes in infectious diseases related to allergies and immunology for internal medicine at NYU Langone Health.

The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common illness with symptoms that can range from moderate fever, chills, and congestion, to a severe and possibly deadly infection.

The flu can spread easily through touching – just shaking hands or turning a doorknob can transmit the virus to you – but keeping up good hygiene practices like hand-washing can help you avoid getting sick.

Here's what you need to know about how to protect yourself and how long flu viruses can live on different objects, from hard surfaces to fabric and other soft surfaces.

Flu germs live up to 3 days on hard surfaces

The influenza virus that causes the flu tends to live longest on hard surfaces, says Kelly Reynolds, MSPH, PhD, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health.

"Flu viruses survive for 24 to 48 hours on stainless steel and plastic," Reynolds says. This means that things we commonly interact with, like subway poles, can harbor germs for long periods of time.

When protecting yourself from germs on hard surfaces, you should target "items that are commonly touched but rarely disinfected," Reynolds says. This includes cell phones, doorknobs, faucets, and light switches.

Flu germs live 8 to 12 hours on fabric

The influenza virus tends to live for a shorter time on fabric than hard surfaces, Reynolds says. Scientists do not have a definite explanation for why, but it may be because fabrics are more porous. Studies show that the flu virus can live for only 8 to 12 hours on fabric.

Bedding, especially pillowcases, and your clothes may be important hotspots for germs. Your washing machine is not designed to disinfect clothes, but running a load with bleach can help get rid of lingering germs. It can also help to run your washer on the highest heat setting, as viruses cannot survive temperatures above 140 degrees F.

For other soft items in your house like couches, you can use a sanitizing spray to get rid of germs, says Reynolds. When sanitizing fabrics, it's best to avoid bleach-based sprays, as they can alter the color of fabrics, and instead stick to non-bleach sprays with ingredients like peroxide.

Flu germs live for about 5 minutes on skin

A 2008 study found that the flu virus can only live for around 5 minutes on skin. This is because our skin produces anti-microbial substances that help kill germs and keep us safe from infection.

However, flu germs are able to live longer if the virus is encased in mucus. This means that if you sneeze into your hands, this will cause greater contamination than simply touching something like a doorknob.

The best way to get rid of germs on your hands is to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This removes anything from your hands that may be housing germs, such as mucus.

If you are out of the house with no access to a bathroom, the next best thing is to use a hand sanitizer. Make sure to check the label and use a sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol to make sure it can effectively kill flu germs.

Another important step to take if you think your hands may be contaminated is to make sure not to touch your face, as this is a common route for viruses to spread.

The flu and other viruses can be extremely contagious without proper hygiene measures. The easiest step to protect yourself is to wash your hands as often as possible, but if you are concerned about infection, consider sterilizing high-touch objects like phones and doorknobs as well.

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