I live in a senior residence with communal/shared washing machines. This morning as I did my laundry, a resident (who has been here a long time and seems to know everything about everything) pointed to a sign from management that probably had just been posted. It gave some "rules" for using the machines and the FIRST one went like this: "Do not put soiled laundry in the machines. Rinse out these items first before using the machines." I wouldn't have known what this meant had the other resident not informed me. It means that some residents have been "pooping" (that's the delicate term she used) on their bedding and their caregivers most likely have been putting the "soiled" sheets, etc. directly into the shared washing machines. Obviously, some other residents have discovered this when they did their laundry. I don't think there's really any way to stop this, so I'm thinking now the only thing to do is bring in some kind of spray bottle to sanitize the washing machines (and probably dryers too). What sort of a sanitizer would people recommend? Thanks so much.
I sympathize, because while I was having to use public machines I once had the infuriating experience of finding out too late that the previous customer had washed her horse blankets. Goodness I was cross.
If you're really concerned, you can:
- ask the management how often the machines are deep-cleaned and disinfected (my domestic instruction manual says to run a 90 degree/boil wash program with the machine empty every so often, but it doesn't say how often). In a communal laundry, the machines' manufacturers probably do say how often this should be done - if the management don't know, they can look it up. If they won't, you can look it up. The brand, model and serial number will be on the machine somewhere. In any case, there should be a maintenance schedule for the machines and that ought to include sanitizing + descaling if you're in a hard water area.
- run a maximum temperature wash empty before you add your clothes
- use an in-laundry disinfectant in the fabric conditioner drawer.
While you're at it, you might want to pull out the fabric conditioner drawer and give it a good scrub with soap and a nail brush. You can find some really interesting moulds growing in there if it hasn't been done for a while.
Check to see if there's any mention of maintenance of communal laundry facilities.
I would think though that at least the management would post a notice regarding inappropriate substances.
You might even quietly, privately and anonymously notify the management, holding company, or even local governmental facilities. I would think that this poses a risk to all members.
For the dryer, I would use a white hand towel or dish towel soaked with white vinegar and run it in the dryer for a few minutes. This will sanitize and the white will show you if the dryer is nasty. (Probably not nasty though)
One thing to remember, bacteria in a washer doesn't hide, it tells you by smell it is there. So you probably don't have any issues besides the icky factor.
I suggest you get in touch with your local department of health.
Better yet run a cycle with these products before adding your clothes. It is well worth the additional price.
The baskets aren't sprayed though, so I wipe them down myself before putting my own baskets in them.