A CAN OF GERMS

We lift the lid on what's really happening in your laundry basket

- Words: Amber Bramble.

We've all been through our fair share of washing machine mishaps - whether it’s wool jumpers that lie about being machine washable or that red sock incident no one will admit to. But what about the germs themselves? While we might not like to think about it, a little bit of information can help you avoid getting sick.

“The survival time of germs in fabric varies,” explains Dr Dinesh Silva, a GP and director at skin and body clinic Curvz. “Regular cleaning and hygiene practices can help reduce the risk of germ transmission.”

From dust and bacteria to cough and cold viruses, we get up close and personal with the world of germs and other hidden nasties.

CYCLE OF LIFE

Getting coughed or sneezed on is definitely gross, but how long can those germs actually make you sick? While cold and flu germs can often linger on hard surfaces for one to two days, they generally can’t survive on fabric for more than 12 hours.