Bacterial flora analyses and isolation of adhesive bacteria on fabrics washed by home laundry

In this report, microbial cells on washed fabrics and in washing water in home laundry were analyzed, in order to suppress malodors and construct a highly sanitary home laundry system. Many bacterial cells (10⁹-10¹⁰ cells/g dry fabric) were detected from washed fabrics emitting relative strong malodors even after washing. Detergents with or without antimicrobial agents partially removed the microorganism cells and more than 20% of cells survived even after washing and drying in almost all households. Bacterial flora analyses of washed fabrics revealed the presence of several typical genera: Enhydrobacter sp., Paracoccus sp., Sphingomonas sp., Roseomonas sp. and Kocuria sp. These results indicated that it is difficult to remove or eliminate microbial cells adhering to clothes and fabrics in home laundry. This report also indicated certain typical bacteria (adhesive type) seem to adhere or attach to fabrics, while bacteria (transient type) found in washing water have low adhesivity to fabrics. Therefore, understanding the adhesive properties of bacteria on fabrics may permit more efficient removal of microorganisms and reduction of malodors in home laundry.