What should be the temperature for washing clothes to destroy the maximum number of microbes?
When you take your clothes out of the washing machine, they smell great and look perfectly clean, but that's not entirely true. Washing at low temperatures can preserve fabrics, but it can be harmful to your health, reports Ukr.Media.
Studies show that potentially harmful bacteria cannot be killed at 30 degrees. Low temperatures are a breeding ground for microbes. People think that washing clothes makes them clean, but this is just an optical illusion.
Washing machine
American microbiologists experimentally measured the level of bacteria in washing machines and potentially “clean” clothes. According to Dr. Lisa Ackerley, the results showed that a machine cycle at 30-40 degrees not only does not remove harmful microorganisms from laundry, but even transfers them to towels.
The trend towards lower washing temperatures and water volumes, along with the use of gentle detergents, affects washing efficiency. The processes of qualitative removal of bacteria from soiled items are reduced.
For example, on average, about 0.1 grams (10,000 organisms) of fecal origin were found on “clean” underwear.
The low-temperature cycle also involves cross-contamination of clothes. If you put something dirty in the washing machine, the bacteria will only spread to other clothes. This creates a kind of “bacterial cocktail”. Additional measures are needed to destroy it.
Most often, viruses are transmitted to clothing and accessories that come into direct contact with the body – underwear, towels, bed linen, etc. Bacteria left inside the washing machine can also cause cross-contamination.
The study found that microbes that accumulate inside washing machines are mixed with the wash water in subsequent cycles. Microbiologists found one million microorganisms in two tablespoons of wash water.
Low washing temperatures provide good conditions for germs to grow in places like detergent compartments or door seals. The risk is especially high if someone in the family is sick. Washing clothes alone is not enough to protect others.
What to do?
In this matter, special attention should be paid to cleaning and disinfecting the washing machine, as well as periodically using high temperature modes – 60-90 degrees. Of course, the quality of the fabrics must be taken into account.
Джерело: Source
