Microbial Hygiene in Textile Laundering

Textile laundering serves a dual function: the removal of soiling and the control of microbial contaminants that can compromise health and textile quality. The proliferation of bacteria, fungi and their metabolites on fabrics poses challenges ranging from malodour formation to potential pathogen transmission. Modern laundering conditions, including reduced wash temperatures and enzymatic detergents, influence microbial survival and community dynamics. The retention of fibrous matrices, moisture and nutrient residues can foster biofilm development within textiles and washing machines alike, with consequences for odour, discolouration and material degradation. Advances in understanding textile-associated microbiomes have highlighted the role of fibre properties, wash chemistry and machine ecology in shaping microbial communities. Emerging strategies for improved microbial hygiene encompass tailored detergent formulations, biobased surfactants, antimicrobial fibres and process optimisation to strike a balance between disinfection and sustainability. As domestic and institutional laundering systems evolve in response to energy efficiency and ecological concerns, comprehensive insights into microbial behaviour and control mechanisms remain essential to safeguard public health and textile longevity.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Analysis of biofilm and bacterial communities in towel environments during prolonged use has revealed distinct microbial succession linked to odour and fabric dullness. Over a six-month period of daily laundering, polysaccharide, protein and nucleic acid accumulation on towel fibres increased progressively, while biofilm structures became more pronounced in specific textile regions. The resident microbiota diverged significantly from skin-associated communities, with members of the Alphaproteobacteria correlating with both biofilm matrix components and sensory measures of dullness. These findings underscore the influence of fibre structure and hygiene practice on bacterial colonisation, suggesting that textile material design and targeted laundering regimes can mitigate biofilm formation and associated quality deterioration.

Microbial Hygiene in Textile Laundering publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microbial hygiene in textile laundering across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Microbiome: The community of microorganisms inhabiting a particular environment, including bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Biofilm: A structured aggregation of microbial cells encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix attached to surfaces.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Low-molecular-weight chemicals released by microbial metabolism that contribute to odour.

High-throughput sequencing (HTS): Rapid DNA analysis techniques enabling comprehensive profiling of microbial communities.

Hygienic efficacy: The effectiveness of a laundering process in reducing or inactivating microbial contaminants.

References

1. Impact of antibacterial detergent on used‐towel microbiomes at species‐level and its effect on malodor control. iMeta (2023).
2. Metabarcoding Analysis of Microorganisms Inside Household Washing Machines in Shanghai, China. Microorganisms (2024).
3. Analysis of biofilm and bacterial communities in the towel environment with daily use. Scientific Reports (2023).
4. A Comprehensive View of Microbial Communities in the Laundering Cycle Suggests a Preventive Effect of Soil Bacteria on Malodour Formation. Microorganisms (2022).