US EditionHome washing machines fail to remove important pathogens from textiles
- Katie Laird and colleagues tested six home washing machine models in 2025 in England to assess their ability to disinfect textiles contaminated with bacteria.
- The study responded to concerns that many machines do not reach or maintain the recommended 60°C temperature needed to kill harmful bacteria on healthcare uniforms.
- Half of the machines failed to disinfect clothing during rapid cycles and one-third still failed during standard cycles, with bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes persisting on fabrics and inside machines.
- The authors highlight that household washing machines frequently do not eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria from fabrics, which poses a risk for the persistence of these pathogens.
- The findings suggest revising laundering guidelines for health care workers and using on-site industrial machines could reduce hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic resistance spread.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Washing scrubs at home does not adequately disinfect them — and may lead to antibiotic resistance, study finds
Health care workers often wash their scrubs at home, but their washing machines often don't adequately disinfect them, new research shows. This contributes to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Medical Xpress
Eurek AlertHome washing machines fail to remove important pathogens from textiles
Health care workers who wash their uniforms at home may be unknowingly contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals, according to a new study led by Katie Laird of De Montfort University, published in PLOS One.
Domestic laundering of healthcare textiles: Disinfection efficacy and risks of antibiotic resistance transmission - AMR Insights
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are growing public health concerns, with textiles potentially contributing to microbial transmission. In the UK, domestic laundering machines (DLMs) are commonly used to clean healthcare worker uniforms, raising concerns about their effectiveness in decontaminating microorganisms and their potential impact on AMR. A study found that only 50% of DLMs achieved sufficient decont…
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