Sunday, February 16, 2025

Beware: Thrift Store Vintage Clothes May Carry Infections!

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The demand for secondhand and vintage apparel has experienced a remarkable increase over recent years. Many consumers regard pre-owned fashion as a more economical and environmentally conscious method to enhance their wardrobes.


However, before eagerly donning your latest secondhand acquisition, it is imperative to ensure that you properly disinfect the item first. The reason behind this caution is that clothing can serve as a substantial reservoir for numerous infectious pathogens.


The human skin is naturally home to millions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses collectively referred to as the skin microbiome. Consequently, every piece of clothing worn comes into intimate contact with these microorganisms.

A study of secondhand clothing revealed a range of pathogens within several samples tested. (Anthony Sebbo/Unsplash)

The common microbes residing within the skin microbiome include Staphylococcus, known to cause staph infections, Streptococcus, associated with strep throat, yeast such as Candida (culprit of thrush), and viruses like Human papillomavirus, responsible for HPV.


Each individual’s skin microbiome is distinctive, meaning what poses no threat to one person could potentially cause disease in another.


The Infection Risk of Used Clothing

As a known carrier of various disease-causing pathogens, clothing can harbor germs derived from the unique skin microbiome of the previous owner—especially if the garments were not thoroughly cleaned before sale. This contamination may include pathogens they carried when last worn.


Research indicates that clothing can harbor a variety of infectious pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus (linked to skin and blood infections), bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, norovirus, and rotavirus (leading to fever, vomiting, and diarrhea), as well as fungi responsible for athlete’s foot and ringworm.


A study on secondhand clothing specifically marketed in a Pakistani market discovered the presence of Bacillus subtilus and Staphylococcus aureus in numerous samples, pathogens that can lead to skin and blood infections. Moreover, parasites capable of causing skin infections, such as dermatitis and scabies, have been found on secondhand garments as well.


The microbes on the skin can thrive on amino acids from sweat, as well as sebaceous oils produced by hair follicles, and proteins from skin cells—all of which are transferred onto clothing when we wear them.


Moreover, studies show that several pathogenic germs, including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes, can persist on clothing for extended periods, even up to months, under room temperature conditions. Bacteria on cotton or mixed-fiber fabrics can survive for as long as 90 days.


On polyester, however, these germs can endure for as long as 200 days, particularly thriving in humid environments. This highlights the necessity for storing clothing in dry conditions to limit bacterial proliferation.


While determining the exact risk of contracting an illness from secondhand clothing remains elusive—since no comprehensive studies have been conducted—immunocompromised individuals are likely at higher risk and should exercise additional caution before wearing such items.


Proper Washing Techniques for Secondhand Clothing

Most microbes require moisture to proliferate. Areas of the body that tend to retain moisture, such as armpits, feet, and genitals, harbor the highest concentrations of diverse microbial species.


Fabrics that come into contact with these regions are consequently more prone to contamination. Additionally, clothing can collect remnants of food debris, potentially fostering further bacterial or fungal growth.


Thus, it is crucial to wash secondhand clothing rigorously to impede germ proliferation and minimize infection risk. One study investigating secondhand clothing contaminated with scabies parasites found that thorough washing effectively eliminated all parasites present.


It is advisable to launder newly acquired secondhand clothing using detergent in water heated to approximately 60°C. This temperature not only cleans visible dirt but also eradicates germs and inactivates pathogens.


Washing in cold water is generally insufficient for removing pathogens, so if a high-temperature wash is unfeasible, employing a laundry disinfectant is recommended to combat any lingering germs.


Initially, it is prudent to wash secondhand items separately from regular laundry to prevent cross-contamination. A practical method involves soaking the garments in a separate basin of hand-hot (not boiling) water combined with antibacterial laundry detergent for two to three hours, followed by a standard machine wash.


To ensure the complete elimination of any remaining pathogens, utilizing a hot tumble dryer or steam ironing treatment (around 60°C, if compatible with the fabric) is highly effective in eradicating bacteria, viruses, and parasite eggs.

Despite assurances from many secondhand sellers that they have laundered the items, it is prudent to perform your own washing. It is equally advisable to wash any new garments prior to wear.

Primrose Freestone, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology, University of Leicester

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Pathogen /ˈpæθ.ə.dʒən/ (noun): An organism that causes disease.
  2. Microbiome /ˌmaɪ.krəʊˈbaɪ.əʊm/ (noun): The community of microorganisms living in a particular environment including the body.
  3. Contamination /kənˌtæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The action of making something impure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance.
  4. Proliferate /prəˈlɪf.ər.eɪt/ (verb): To increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.
  5. Thoroughly /ˈθɜːr.ə.li/ (adverb): In an extremely attentive or careful manner.
  6. Eradicate /ɪˈræd.ɪ.keɪt/ (verb): To completely destroy or put an end to something.

How much do you know?


What is a common reason consumers buy secondhand clothing?
To support fast fashion brands
To save money and reduce environmental impact
To keep up with the latest trends
To avoid wearing unique items


Why is it important to disinfect secondhand clothing before wearing?
To make the clothing look brand new
To remove any unpleasant odors
To eliminate infectious pathogens
To prevent fading of colors


Which of the following is not a common microbe found in the skin microbiome?
Staphylococcus
E. coli
Streptococcus
Candida


What can happen if secondhand clothing is not thoroughly cleaned before sale?
It may lose its shape
It can develop a foul odor
It can harbor disease-causing pathogens from the previous owner
It may shrink in the wash


How long can some pathogens persist on clothing under room temperature conditions?
Up to 1 week
Up to 1 month
Up to 3 months
Up to 6 months


What is the recommended temperature for washing secondhand clothing to eliminate germs?
40°C
50°C
60°C
70°C


Secondhand clothing does not pose any infection risk to the wearer.


High-temperature washing is essential to remove pathogens from secondhand clothing.


Cross-contamination can be avoided by washing secondhand items separately from regular laundry.


Staphylococcus aureus is a fungus commonly found in secondhand clothing.


Moisture is not a factor that promotes the growth of microbes on clothing.


Immunocompromised individuals may be at a lower risk when wearing secondhand clothing.


The recommended temperature for washing secondhand clothing to eliminate pathogens is approximately °C.


It is crucial to wash secondhand clothing rigorously to impede proliferation and minimize infection risk.


The presence of harmful pathogens on secondhand clothing can lead to skin and blood .


Areas of the body that tend to retain moisture, such as armpits, feet, and genitals, harbor the highest concentrations of diverse microbial .


It is advisable to launder newly acquired secondhand clothing using in water heated to approximately 60°C.

This question is required


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