Study Reveals Home Washing Machines May Not Eliminate Pathogens from Fabrics

Recent research indicates that home washing machines may be ineffective in removing critical pathogens from healthcare workers' uniforms, potentially exacerbating the issue of antibiotic-resistant infections in healthcare settings.

Hospital-acquired infections pose a significant public health challenge, particularly due to the involvement of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Many healthcare professionals wash their uniforms at home, leading to concerns about whether conventional washing machines can adequately decontaminate these garments.

The study, conducted by researchers from De Montfort University and published in PLOS One, assessed the disinfection efficacy of six different home washing machine models. Researchers tested the effectiveness of these machines by laundering fabric swatches contaminated with bacteria using both rapid and standard wash cycles. The results revealed that half of the washing machines failed to disinfect the clothing during the rapid cycle, while about one-third did not adequately clean during the standard cycle.

In addition to assessing the washing machines, the research team analyzed biofilms from inside twelve different machines. DNA sequencing detected the presence of potentially harmful bacteria along with genes associated with antibiotic resistance. The findings also suggested that bacteria could develop resistance to common household detergents, which may further enhance their resilience against certain antibiotics.

These findings raise serious concerns regarding the ability of standard home washing machines to adequately disinfect healthcare textiles, potentially contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The researchers recommend revising laundering guidelines for healthcare professionals to ensure that home washing methods are effective. Alternatively, they propose that healthcare facilities should consider utilizing industrial-grade washing machines for laundering uniforms to safeguard patient health and combat the spread of resistant infections.

The research highlights the urgent need to reevaluate laundering practices for healthcare textiles. The authors emphasize that if we are committed to reducing the transmission of infectious diseases via textiles and addressing antimicrobial resistance, we must rethink how we clean the clothing worn by healthcare workers.