[nudephil (OP)]

Rick asks:

I've heard that viruses survive longer on hard surfaces like steel than soft surfaces like clothes. Why is that?

Does anyone know the mechanism?

[Astrogazer]

The reason is because
1.  Hard surfaces often have tiny crevasses in which viruses are protected.
2.  There is very little drying effect on hard surfaces.
3.  The exception is copper, or copper containing metals such as brass or bronze.  The copper atom is unusual in that it will donate a number of electrons to a virus or bacteria and disrupt its surface.