"Scientists Warn: Deadly Pathogens Thrive in Common Weekly-Use Appliances"
This title condenses the core message, emphasizes urgency with "thrive," specifies "common weekly-use" appliances, and maintains scientific authority.
Home Washing Machines Fail to Kill Dangerous Pathogens on Healthcare Uniforms, Study Warns
Scientists have raised alarms about home washing machines’ inability to eliminate antibiotic-resistant pathogens from healthcare workers’ scrubs, posing infection risks for millions. A study by De Montfort University (UK) revealed that up to 50% of home machines fail to sterilize uniforms during quick cycles, while a third underperform in standard cycles. This leaves 22 million U.S. healthcare workers and their families vulnerable to deadly hospital-acquired infections, which have mortality rates of 20–50%.
Home washing machines may harbor dangerous bacteria even after cycles, study finds.
Key Findings
The study tested six washing machines using fabric swatches contaminated with Enterococcus faecium, a bacteria causing meningitis and heart infections. Despite NHS guidelines recommending 140°F (60°C) for 10 minutes to kill microbes, most machines fell short. Only five reached 134–136°F in standard cycles, with four successfully disinfecting swatches. Rapid cycles performed worse, with three machines failing to exceed 111°F. One machine hit just 68°F, leaving bacteria intact.
Detergent Resistance and Antibiotic Links
Biological detergents (enzyme-based) and non-biological options were compared. Surprisingly, one machine worked better with non-biological detergent. Alarmingly, bacteria surviving washes showed increased tolerance to detergents and antibiotics like ampicillin and tetracycline. Researchers also found biofilms—sticky bacterial residue—inside all 12 sampled machines, housing pathogens like Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Mycobacterium (linked to tuberculosis). All samples contained antibiotic-resistant genes.
Healthcare uniforms washed at home may spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria in clinical settings.
Why It Matters
Hospital-acquired infections, often resistant to treatment, threaten patients and staff. Contaminated scrubs can transfer bacteria to vulnerable individuals, worsening outbreaks. “If we’re serious about tackling antimicrobial resistance, we must rethink how we launder healthcare textiles,” stressed lead researcher Katie Laird.
Recommendations
The team urges healthcare facilities to provide industrial-grade washers, which maintain consistent high temperatures and disinfectant levels. They also call for updated laundering guidelines, emphasizing hot water cycles and avoiding overloading machines.
Pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa (shown) can survive home washes, increasing infection risks.
Takeaways
- Temperature matters: Home machines often don’t reach sterilizing temperatures.
- Detergent isn’t enough: Residue and biofilms persist, spreading resistance.
- Policy change needed: Hospitals should offer on-site laundering to protect staff and patients.
This study, published in PLOS ONE, highlights a critical gap in infection control, urging immediate action to prevent preventable deaths.
