The elimination of microbial contaminations from textile is an important aspect of laundering apart from the removal of stains and dirt from used and worn textiles. Although the framework for institutional laundering is well regulated to ensure hygienic cleanliness via the use of e.g. high temperatures and bleaching agents, there are several open points, especially in domestic laundering. In both cases, energy efficiency of appliances is a main driver for innovation and has resulted in a general decrease in washing temperatures which in turn can impact the antimicrobial efficacy of laundering. Thus, the different factors influencing the input and removal of microbial cells in the laundering process and possible adverse effects of microbial contaminants in the washing machine and on the textiles as well as suitable counteractions are discussed in this article, focusing on the clinical area but also considering the domestic environment, which will gain importance in the future, e.g. by the increase of elderly and ill persons being cared for at home.

During the last decades, the strive for energy efficiency lead to lower washing temperatures in laundering processes. In this regard, there is a rising need to measure the antimicrobial action of laundry detergents and additives, since chemistry must be considered an important means to compensate for the loss of temperature. Although there is an existing standard method (EN 16616) to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of detergents for the medical area, this method does not reflect the domestic situation and neglects important steps, such as the rinse cycles. Hence, we developed an experimental setup, which represents the whole washing process and reflects the domestic situation by using a household-related setting. The suggested method uses a lab-scale washing machine, which does not only allow to test products that can be applied throughout the whole laundering process (including the rinse steps) but also proved to be able to show the impact of different parameters (e.g., detergent ingredient or different types of textiles) in a very systematic manner.

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