Abstract
The potential for microbial transfer in self-service laundry washing machines was investigated by obtaining swab samples from the interior surfaces of commercial machines and wash water samples before and after disinfectant treatment. Three disinfectants (chlorine, a quaternary ammonium product, and a phenolic disinfectant) were used. Four self-service laundry facilities were sampled, with 10 replications of the procedure for each treatment at each location. Although washers were set on a warmwater setting, the wash water temperatures ranged from 24 to 51 degrees C. The quaternary ammonium product seemed most effective, averaging a 97% microbial kill; chlorine was the second most effective, with a 58% kill, and the phenolic disinfectant was least effective, with only a 25% kill. The efficacies of the chlorine and phenolic disinfectants were reduced at low water temperatures commonly experienced in self-service laundries. Interfamily cross-contamination in self-service facilities is a potential public health problem, which is aggravated by environmental conditions, such as water temperature and the practices of the previous users of the equipment. Procedural changes in laundering are recommended, including the use of a disinfectant to maintain adequate levels of sanitation.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- BLOWERS R., WALLACE K. R. The sterilisation of blankets with cetyl trimethylamine bromide. Lancet. 1955 Jun 18;268(6877):1250–1251. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(55)91022-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CHURCH B. D., LOOSLI C. G. The role of the laundry in the recontamination of washed bedding. J Infect Dis. 1953 Jul-Aug;93(1):65–74. doi: 10.1093/infdis/93.1.65. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CRONE P. B. Survival of staphylococci during experimental laundering. Mon Bull Minist Health Public Health Lab Serv. 1958 Jul;17:167–170. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dubois A. S., Dibblee D. D. The Influence of Pretreating Bacteria with Anionic Agents on the Antibacterial Action of Cationic Germicides. J Bacteriol. 1947 Feb;53(2):251–252. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- KUNDSIN R. B., WALTER C. W., IPSEN J., BRUBAKER M. D. ECOLOGY OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL DISEASE. STUDY OF A COMMUNITY OF MARRIED GRADUATE STUDENTS. JAMA. 1963 Jul 20;185:159–162. doi: 10.1001/jama.1963.03060030017017. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Nicholes P. S. Bacteria in laundered fabrics. Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1970 Nov;60(11):2175–2180. doi: 10.2105/ajph.60.11.2175. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Walter W. G., Schillinger J. E. Bacterial survival in laundered fabrics. Appl Microbiol. 1975 Mar;29(3):368–373. doi: 10.1128/am.29.3.368-373.1975. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wiksell J. C., Pickett M. S., Hartman P. A. Survival of microorganisms in laundered polyester-cotton sheeting. Appl Microbiol. 1973 Mar;25(3):431–435. doi: 10.1128/am.25.3.431-435.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wilkoff L. J., Westbrook L., Dixon G. J. Factors affecting the persistence of Staphylococcus aureus on fabrics. Appl Microbiol. 1969 Feb;17(2):268–274. doi: 10.1128/am.17.2.268-274.1969. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]