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How Your Laundry Machine May Be Making You Sick

In fact, Charles Gerba, who is a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, says, “There’s about a tenth a gram of poop in the average pair of underwear.” Yeah, I can’t quite make an accurate visualization of a “tenth of a gram of poop,” either, but no matter how small it may be, it doesn’t sound good!

These 100 million E. Coli can transfer to other clothing, so it is best to wash your undies separately from your jeans and shirts.

Opt for a Hang-Dry
Did you know that a cold or even warm wash cycle doesn’t clean some of the worst germs? In actuality, a washer needs to get to at least 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit for all of that nasty bacteria that clings onto clothes to be eradicated. That’s why, if you prefer to wash on cold, it’s best to always follow up in a warm environment like a dryer.

If you have clothes that need to be laundered delicately, then stick with the cold water hand wash cycle, then hang dry in the sun. Not only is this better for the environment, it’s also better for your health. Philip Tierno, a professor of microbiology says that the sun is the way to go. “The ultraviolet radiation kills germs. It’s just as effective as bleach.”

Good to know!

Stick to unscented detergents
If you have sensitive skin, then dropping that perfumed laundry soap is a total must! Sadly, the process of choosing an unscented detergent can be tricky. You can’t always rely on slick advertising for this one. Check the ingredients on the label—if you see any added fragrances, then you know to stay far away.

From: http://tiphero.com/laundry-machine-sick/