A new report from the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene has found that one appliance at home designed to keep things clean could actually be making us sick. With a movement to only use cold water when doing laundry, we haven't changed the way we sort and wash clothes. The study found high levels of bacteria in washing machines and clothes since the cold water does little to eradicate the illness-causing germs. Bacterial like E. coli and staph were found in 83 percent of the laundered samples. The researchers suggest sorting clothes by usage, not color, and said everyday items like clothing can be washed in cold water. But items like undergarments and bedding should be separated and washed in hot water to eradicate germs.
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