Home Washing Machines May Not Effectively Eliminate Pathogens from Healthcare Textiles

Recent research raises concerns about the ability of standard home washing machines to fully disinfect healthcare worker uniforms and other textiles. A study led by Katie Laird at De Montfort University examined whether popular household washing machines could eliminate bacteria, including potentially dangerous, antibiotic-resistant strains, from contaminated fabrics. The findings revealed that many machines fail to disinfect, especially during rapid or standard cycles, leading to the survival of bacteria in the textiles.

The study involved washing fabric swatches contaminated with healthcare-associated bacteria in six different models of home washing machines. Results showed that roughly half of the machines did not effectively disinfect clothing during rapid wash cycles, while approximately one-third failed to do so during normal cycles. Further analysis involved sampling biofilms from inside 12 domestic washing machines, where DNA sequencing uncovered the presence of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. This suggests that bacteria can develop resistance to common detergents, which complicates efforts to eradicate them.

These findings have significant implications for infection control, particularly for healthcare workers who frequently wash their uniforms at home. Residual bacteria on clothing could potentially contribute to hospital-acquired infections and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Researchers recommend revising laundering guidelines for healthcare personnel to ensure effective cleaning, possibly by employing industrial on-site laundering facilities for uniforms. This could enhance patient safety and help curb the transmission of resistant pathogens.

The authors emphasized the importance of rethinking domestic laundering practices, stating, "Domestic washing machines often fail to disinfect textiles effectively, allowing antibiotic-resistant bacteria to survive. To address infectious disease transmission and antimicrobial resistance, we must improve how healthcare workers launder their uniforms." The study underscores the need for stricter standards and potentially the adoption of commercial laundering solutions to protect public health.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-home-machines-important-pathogens-textiles.html