Just how sanitary and safe are public washing machines anyway?
Question:i am always paranoid about nasty germs from my apartments' washing machines because of potential dirty neighbors. help!
Answers:
I dont like public wash machines myself as I used to have to clean in a Laudromat.
What I did was wipe the washer out first , and then I sprayed it with Lysol. (Never had a problem then .)
Hope this helps you .
I would do a rinse cycle with bleach, this will decontaminate the washer. Before you wash anything, make sure that anyplace you may have spilled the bleach is washed off or it may ge ton your clothes.
ive lived in a condo since i was 4 and ive never had problems with anyones clothes in the washer or dryer. just check the lint collector thing and its all fine. ive never had a bacterial or viral infection or disease from my clothes getting washed. i supposed if your really worried about this you could buy your own or go to a laundry mat but that wouldnt solve the problem really. dont worry about it unless one of your neighbors are extremly dirty with mold and such growing in or near their house
Let me get this straight... You are concerned about machines that use soap, bleach and heat to sanitize clothing? Are you kidding?
It doesn't use the same water over and over, so the water will be as clean as tap-water gets.
If you use the hot cycle (which is probably an abuse of energy), the heat would kill off bacteria.
If you use detergent, that would kill most of the bacteria.
If you use bleach, that would kill almost anything.
If you use the dryer, that heat will kill almost anything, too.
Now, here's where you might have problems:
The outside of the machines and the floors in an apartment complex's laundry room are usually shamefully dirty. So is the door handle and the folding table. Bring a Clorox wipe with you to wipe those down - if you're really paranoid.
Also, I had a roommate that would leave his wet clothing in the washer, go to work, and come back to clothes that reek of mildew. So, bacteria is present in washing machines (any wet place, for that matter).
So, wash your clothes, dry them straight away - et voila! No germs (that will harm you anyway).
BTW - your body is typically covered in billions of bacteria. Trust your immune system to keep them in check.
I have trouble using public facilities too! One just never can tell what was there before you! What you can do is purchase one of those combination washer/dryers. Sears used to have one for about $500 that is one unit about the size of a dishwasher, they are on wheels and hook up to your kitchen sink. (A friend of mine had purchased one there.) One load at a time, washes and dries in the same machine, and it would probably pay for itself in no time! Most landlords wouldn't have a problem with one either.
i manage a laundromat and have worked in a laundromat for 5 years. i also do my laundry there i haven't heard of any one getting any kind of disease from a washer. the main problem i have seen is people not cleaning out their pockets and a kids crayon or gum gets in the dryer and ruins some ones clothes.
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