The Danger of "Energy Saving" Washing Machines

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There is a law called "Murphy's Law" which boiled down to a few words means "If something can go wrong, it will go wrong." And it has in the case of "Energy Saving" Washing Machines.

It seems “energy saver” washing machines may not be killing all the potentially harmful pathogens on your clothing — as was reportedly the case at a hospital in Germany.

Researchers, in a study published last week in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, detailed a case of the superbug Klebsiella oxytoca in a German hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. Routine screenings “revealed the presence of the pathogens on infants in the ICU,” according to a press release regarding the findings.

Klebsiella oxytoca bacteria are naturally occurring in the mouth, nose and intestinal tract, and are considered “healthy gut bacteria." But outside of the intestines, these pathogens can cause “serious infections,” per Healthline.

Researchers eventually traced the source of the bacteria to a washing machine in the hospital. They determined the washer transmitted the pathogens to the knitted caps and socks that were used to keep the babies warm. (Most were in the ICU because they were premature, or for an infection unrelated to the bacteria.)

The research “has implications for household use of washers,” Schmithausen said, noting water temperatures in household washing machines typically reach a maximum of 140 degrees F or below for energy-saving purposes. The cooler temperatures do not kill potentially harmful pathogens as effectively as higher temperatures.

While lower-temperature washes are safe in most instances, the case serves as a reminder that high-temperatures may be safer for those with underdeveloped or compromised immune systems.

"If elderly people requiring nursing care with open wounds or bladder catheters, or younger people with suppurating injuries or infections live in the household, laundry should be washed at higher temperatures, or with efficient disinfectants, to avoid transmission of dangerous pathogens," said Dr. Martin Exner, the director of the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health at the University of Bonn, in a statement.

Source: German hospital's washing machine harbored superbug that was 'transmitted repeatedly' to newborns: report

So what are the implications? [The answer in my opinion is:] Well "Energy Saving" Washing Machines are probably not a severe threat in normal homes or apartments. But they should not be used in hospitals, nursing homes or places like group homes where individuals with underdeveloped or compromised immune systems live.

According to Wikipedia:

Finagle's law of dynamic negatives (also known as Melody's law or Finagle's corollary to Murphy's law) is usually rendered as "Anything that can go wrong, will—at the worst possible moment."

Murphy's law is an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong".

Now granted Wikipedia can be incorrect. It falls in line with jimmy m's rule #1 or otherwise called the 40% rule which briefly states:

Around 40% of what you read is outright false or a misleading narrative.