Laundry Question!

[Zoe]

Hi everyone! Hey I was wondering, does anyone know if normal machine washing kills spores, or should I be washing my "roo's" separately from the rest of my family's clothes with bleach?? I hadn't thought about it till just now when I was getting ready to put a load in. This is all so frustrating!!!!!!! AND another thing, my daughter and I wear the same size clothes so we often do share pants and shirts. Am I exposing her to c-diff even if I have washed the clothes? Thanks for any help.
Zoe :)

[Zoe]

Thanks Roy! I appreciate how fast you always respond. I will start doing my laundry separate from my family's--with bleach.

[HEATHER28]

I agree I made sure that I washed my clothes separate from my fiances.
As for your familys clothes I would wash with a bleach detergent, just to be on the safe side.

[Bobbie]

Here's my "un-medical opinon." When my son first had C. diff. in l979 (& again 6 yrs. later), little was known about hygine re. it. but I've always been a "cleaner." Kept the bathroom clean but didn't restrict it to his use only & none of the rest of the family got C. diff. altho. I must have been "at risk."

When I had C. diff., I washed my clothes separately from the rest of the family's. I soaked "under "things" in warm water & then washed all my wash separately. After washing my clothes, I ran a load through the washer with just bleach & hot water & then washed everyone else's clothes. I sprayed the drier with Lysol -- not much good -- as I discovered later. My son, who was at risk for C. diff., didn't develop it when I had it C. diff. either time altho. he lived at home some of the time.

Bottom line: No one really knows. You might ask your doc. Do what makes you feel the most secure.

[jenkelly15]

Now, I'm nervous I never did any of that. I just made sure to use liquid detergent with color safe bleach. Do you guys think my washing machine is like covered with c-diff spores? I hope not it's been 92 days off the vanco and I would hate to get reinfected because of my washing machine. When does the worry end with this disease!!!

[Bobbie]

jenkelly,
If you are concerned, run a load of just hot water with bleach. Then use a bleach solution (l part bleach; 9 parts water) to wipe out the inside of your drier. It's probably not necessary, but do it if it makes you feel better.

[jenkelly15]

Yeah I think I'll give that a try Bobbie just to make sure. I would hate to get c-diff again because of something so small like this. Do you think the clothes are okay though?

[diane]

Just to let you know your not alone.. I had c diff for 3 years and I did my laundry with my familys. I did not wash any different then when I was not sick. The only thing I did do is if I soiled my under garments it went in the garbage. That I was not risking but other wise I washed normally. So I guess it depends. Don't be worried if your in the 92 days, I would not worry about the wash now.. lol