Expert reveals three-hour rule you need to follow when buying secondhand clothes

A microbiologist has shared her advice on how to properly disinfect secondhand clothes as they can be a 'reservoir' for many infectious diseases

The appeal of secondhand and vintage clothing is on the rise, viewed as a budget-friendly and eco-conscious option to diversify one's attire. However, Primrose Freestone, a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester, warns that it's crucial to sanitise these items effectively before use.

Writing on The Conversation, Primrose highlighted the risks involved: "The skin is naturally coated in millions of bacteria, fungi and viruses, collectively known as the skin microbiome. This means every item of clothing we wear comes into close contact with these microbes. Many of the microbes that regularly call the skin microbiome home include the bacteria Staphylococcus (which causes staph infections), Streptococcus (the bacteria behind strep A), fungi such as Candida (the species of yeast that most commonly causes thrush) and viruses such as the Human papillomavirus (which causes HPV)."

She pointed out that studies have revealed that clothes can be a breeding ground for numerous infectious agents including Staphylococcus aureus (responsible for skin and blood infections), Salmonella, E coli, norovirus and rotavirus (all of which can lead to fever, vomiting and diarrhoea), plus fungi that cause athlete's foot and ringworm. She also noted that parasites capable of triggering skin conditions like dermatitis and scabies have been detected on pre-owned clothing.

Research has found that numerous harmful germs are capable of surviving on clothing for months at room temperature, with pathogens clinging to cotton or mixed-fibre garments for up to 90 days. On polyester materials, however, these microbes thrived for an astonishing 200 days.

Primrose advised: "It's recommended that you wash newly purchased secondhand clothes with detergent at a temperature of around 60°C. This will not only clean any dirt from the clothes, but will also remove germs and inactivate pathogens. Cold water will not work as well to get rid of pathogens within clothing. So if a high-temperature wash isn't possible, then use a laundry disinfectant to kill any germs present.", reports Bristol Live.

"You should try to initially wash secondhand clothes separately from regular laundry to reduce cross contamination of clothing. Soaking the secondhand clothing in a separate bowl of hand-hot (not boiling) water with antibacterial laundry detergent for two to three hours should eliminate any pathogens present. Follow with a regular machine wash."

"To be even more sure you eliminate any remaining germs, a hot tumble dryer or a steam iron treatment (again, around 60°C if your fabric allows it) is highly effective at killing bacteria, viruses and parasite eggs."

"Although many secondhand clothes sellers say they wash clothing before selling, you can never be too sure. This is why it's a good idea to wash any secondhand clothes you buy regardless. It's probably also a good idea to wash any new clothes you buy before wearing as well.