Rent the Runway Eases Concerns of Customers Over Coronavirus Outbreak

Many companies have been forced to take precautions due to the coronavirus outbreak and one of them is Rent the Runway.

The company, which provides designer dress and accessory rentals, has assured customers in an e-mail this week that it is cleaning its clothes, amid the outbreak. The company has said that although scientific information is still developing, it has “no reason to believe” its cleaning practices are ineffective against COVID-19. All of its accessories, including handbags, sunglasses and jewelry, are cleaned with alcohol and disinfectant.

Rent the Runway also told customers that “there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted from soft surfaces like fabric or carpet,” to people.

The full e-mail to customers reads:

In light of developments regarding COVID-19, we want to proactively provide details and additional transparency around our cleaning processes.

First, according to Harvard Health, there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted from soft surfaces like fabric or carpet to humans. In addition, our cleaning agents and practices are designed to kill viruses such as the common cold and flu. While scientific information is still developing, we have no reason to believe that our processes are ineffective against COVID-19.

The teams in our fulfillment centers will continue to use a variety of techniques to ensure that each garment is thoroughly cleaned, steamed and pressed, inspected for quality, and carefully packaged so that it arrives ready to wear. All garments go through a wet or dry cleaning process. They also go through an additional steaming process which heats items to between 248°F and 302°F with the exception of faux fur, select outerwear, leather and faux leather garments, which still go through our standard cleaning processes. According to the CDC, flu viruses are killed by heat above 167°F. Every garment is then enclosed in plastic for protection and cleanliness, which we ask customers to return for recycling.

In addition, all of our reusable garment bags and accessories are thoroughly cleaned after every use. Sunglasses and jewelry are cleaned with alcohol, and handbags and accessories packaging are cleaned with disinfectant after they are returned to us.

Our customers have always been our number one priority. We will continue to monitor the data and recommendations from the CDC and WHO and update our practices as needed. Please visit our FAQs for any additional questions.