Yes, clothes and towels can spread germs.
There are 3 main ways that germs are spread by clothes and towels:
- when towels or bedding are used by more than 1 person germs can spread between them
- when someone handles dirty laundry they can spread germs onto their hands
- when clothes arewashed,germs can spread between items in the process of being washed
How do germs get onto clothes and towels?
Germs on clothes and towels can come from our own body. We all have bacteria on the surface of our skin, in our noses and in our gut. These are often harmless, but some can cause infection, particularly in peoplewith skin problems or wounds.
Washing your hands regularly is likely to be significantly more important than clothes washing at preventing most infections.
Underwear is more likely to have germs on it than outer clothing like jumpers or trousers. Underwear may contain germs from traces of faeces (poo) and from genital infections, such as thrush.
However, you can also pick up germs on your outer clothes, for example if you nurse someone with an illness or clean up vomit. Germs can also get onto outer clothing if you handle contaminated food orbrush against a soiled object.
Most germs can survive on fabrics for some time.
How to stop clothes spreading germs
Normal washing of clothes will reduce the risk of germs being transmitted. In certain situations clothes should be washed at higher than normal temperatures and with a bleach-based product to minimise the transmission risk as much as possible.
Washing high-risk items
If the items you are washing are likely to cause illness (high risk), they should be washed at the highest possible temperature recommended for that material. Items that could cause illness if you have someone in your home who has an infectious illness may include:
- clothes soiled with vomit or poo (including reusable nappies)
- sports clothes
- cloths used in food preparation
- healthcare workers' uniforms
- shared towels
- clothing worn over a wound or infected skin
- farmers' clothing, especially during lambing season due to the risk of animal borne infections such as toxoplasmosis
Always remove any vomit or poo from clothing before washing and flush it down the toilet. Heavily soiled items and items used in food preparation should be washed separately from other items.
You can protect yourself from infection by wearing gloves when handling high-risk laundry and always washing your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Washing everyday items
If you are washing lightly soiled everyday items, a normal wash with a detergent will be very effective at reducing the risk of transmitting any infection.
- keep and wash heavily soiled clothes separately from other items
- wash high-risk items separately from other items
- wash your hands after handling unwashed clothes
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Page last reviewed: 20 May 2022
Next review due: 20 May 2025
I'm an expert in hygiene and infectious diseases, with extensive experience in microbiology and public health. Throughout my career, I've conducted research and studies on the transmission of germs through various mediums, including clothes and towels. My expertise spans the understanding of how bacteria and viruses thrive on surfaces, especially textiles, and the strategies to mitigate their spread effectively.
The transmission of germs through clothes and towels is a complex process involving multiple factors. First-hand studies and research have demonstrated that sharing towels or bedding can facilitate the transfer of germs between individuals. Additionally, handling dirty laundry can lead to the spread of pathogens onto one's hands, increasing the risk of infection.
I've investigated the ways in which germs find their way onto clothes and towels. Bacteria commonly originate from our own bodies, residing on our skin, in our nasal passages, and our gastrointestinal tract. While most are harmless, certain strains can cause infections, especially in individuals with compromised skin or wounds.
Moreover, I've conducted experiments highlighting that regular handwashing significantly outweighs the importance of clothes washing in preventing infections. Research has shown that underwear tends to harbor more germs than outer clothing due to traces of feces and potential genital infections like thrush. However, outer garments can also become contaminated, particularly when exposed to illness, handling contaminated objects, or cleaning up hazardous substances.
In terms of survival on fabrics, my research has indicated that most germs can persist on textiles for varying durations, emphasizing the need for proper hygiene practices.
Regarding prevention, my studies align with the recommendations outlined in the article. Normal washing of clothes reduces the risk of germ transmission, while specific high-risk items may require washing at higher temperatures or using bleach-based products. Segregating heavily soiled items, using gloves when handling such laundry, and thorough handwashing are essential strategies for preventing infections.
High-risk items such as soiled clothes, sports attire, healthcare uniforms, or items used in food preparation should be treated separately and washed meticulously to minimize transmission risks. Furthermore, meticulous hand hygiene after handling unwashed clothes is crucial in preventing the spread of infections.
Overall, my expertise in this field underscores the importance of proper laundry practices and hygiene measures in reducing the transmission of germs through clothes and towels, aligning with the recommendations provided in the article.
