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The effects of wash-water temperature, cold-water or regular detergent, wash-cycle design, drying, and drying temperature on survival of four microorganisms on polyester-cotton sheeting were examined. Escherichia coli T3 bacteriophage survived washing at 24, 35, 46, and 57 C, but not at 68 C. Serratia marcescens survived only the lowest three wash temperatures. Levels of residual Staphylococcus aureus were diminished at the highest two wash temperatures, but survival was substantial even at 68 C. Counts of Bacillus stearothermophilus spores were not altered appreciably by wash temperature. Type of detergent had no practical effect on observed counts. The regular wash cycle was significantly more efficient in removal of microorganisms than the permanent-press cycle. Counts, especially of the bacteriophage and the gramnegative bacterium, were decreased by drying; after drying, the effects of wash-water temperature on S. aureus and B. stearothermophilus were not significantly different. Microorganisms were transferred from inoculated to sterilized sheeting during laundering. The public health significance of these observations is discussed.

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°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.

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