Scientists warn that home washing machines across the US are failing to kill dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria on healthcare uniforms

We all rely on our washing machines to keep our clothes clean and fresh.

But what if the same machine you trust to clean your laundry can’t even handle the scrubs worn by healthcare professionals?

A new study is sounding the alarm, and the findings are a little unsettling—especially if someone in your household works in a hospital or clinic.

Study Finds Home Washers May Fail to Kill Dangerous Bacteria

Researchers have discovered that a significant number of home washing machines aren’t doing a great job at disinfecting healthcare uniforms.

In fact, up to half of the washers tested failed to fully kill off dangerous, treatment-resistant bacteria—the kind that could potentially lead to deadly infections.

And we’re not just talking about a minor health concern.

This is serious stuff.

These pathogens are known to cause colon inflammation, painful skin rashes, pneumonia, and more—some with mortality rates as high as 50 percent.

Healthcare Workers and Families at Higher Risk

This news directly impacts the 22 million Americans working in healthcare, as well as their families who may unknowingly be exposed to these germs at home.

Many healthcare workers wash their uniforms in regular washing machines at home, assuming that hot water and detergent are enough.

But the study shows that’s not always the case.

What the Scientists Actually Did

Led by microbiologist Professor Katie Laird at the UK’s De Montfort University, the team put six different household washing machine models to the test.

They contaminated fabric swatches with a tough bacteria called Enterococcus faecium—a microbe that can cause everything from heart infections to meningitis in newborns—and sealed them in protective membranes.

The swatches were then washed in 140°F water, which is supposed to be hot enough to kill nearly all microorganisms, according to the UK’s National Health Service.

They tried both biological and non-biological detergents and used rapid and normal cycles to see how each washer performed.

The Results Were…Not Great

The findings? Only three out of six machines killed all the bacteria during a rapid cycle, and only four out of six did the job in a normal cycle.

None of the machines even reached the recommended 140°F.

The best any of them managed was between 134°F and 136°F—and only maintained that for a few minutes.

One machine barely got to 68°F, which is basically like washing your clothes in lukewarm tap water.

Even more disturbing, researchers found biofilms—bacterial residue—inside every machine they tested, including strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and even Mycobacterium, which is linked to diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy.

Bacteria Are Getting Stronger—and More Resistant

Perhaps the most concerning part of this research is that some bacteria are becoming more resistant not just to antibiotics, but also to detergent.

That’s right—washing your clothes might actually be helping certain microbes build up their tolerance.

The bacteria that survived washing were also found to carry antibiotic-resistant genes, meaning even our strongest medications may not work if these microbes make it into our bodies.

Time to Rethink Laundry for Hospital Staff

The research team behind the study is urging healthcare institutions to update their uniform-washing policies.

They suggest that scrubs and medical uniforms should be laundered in industrial-grade machines on-site, rather than at home, to minimize the risk of spreading infections.

As the scientists put it:

“If we’re serious about preventing infectious diseases and tackling antibiotic resistance, we need to rethink how we launder what our healthcare workers wear.”

So, What Can You Do?

If you or someone in your household works in healthcare, it may be worth rethinking where and how uniforms get washed.

While it might seem convenient to throw them in with the rest of the laundry, the potential health risks could outweigh the ease.

Until stricter policies are in place, using the hottest setting possible, avoiding short wash cycles, and frequently cleaning your machine are good precautions.