While there’s limited data specific to the cleaning industry, existing research paints a clear picture: it’s not just possible, it’s biologically plausible.

ISSA senior director Dr Gavin Macgregor-Skinner says studies show that workers who handle waste, especially during collection and sorting, are exposed to a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. “Some microbes are linked to respiratory conditions like hypersensitivity pneumonitis, while others can trigger gastrointestinal infections,” he says. Cardboard sorting in particular, a common task in commercial cleaning, is considered high-risk due to its porous nature, which traps and transfers germs easily.

Germs don’t just sit on surfaces. They can spread by touch, drift through the air during bin emptying or be picked up from the floor. Contaminated work clothes, shoes and even exposed skin can carry those germs from one job site to the next or right through the front door at home.

“Microbes don’t just sit on surfaces, they move through the environment and attach to materials, including fabric. If the fabric is electrostatic, it can actually attract airborne microbes, making contamination more likely,” Litmus technical and managing director Claire Bird, PhD says. “Many researchers use electrostatic fabric to collect samples of mould and bacteria from the air. The risk to a person depends on how harmful the microbe is, how much of it there is and what they do next – especially how they handle their clothing.”

Though germs typically survive longer on hard, non-porous surfaces, they can still persist for days, even months, on textiles. “Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli can survive on cotton for 21 days. Clostridium difficile, a bacteria responsible for severe diarrhoea, has been shown to last up to five months on dry surfaces. Even SARS-CoV-2 – the virus behind COVID-19 – can live on cloth for two days. Meanwhile, poliovirus has been recorded to survive for up to 140 days on wool,” Macgregor-Skinner warns.

“Microbes behave much like asbestos fibres. They lodge in fabric, can become airborne when disturbed and may be inhaled or transferred by touch. That’s why it’s critical to remove contaminated clothing before taking off your respirator,” Bird adds.

Contaminated uniforms the industry’s quietest hygiene risk

These findings mirror what’s been documented in healthcare. Hospital uniforms have tested positive for high levels of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. In one study, 70 percent of nurse uniforms were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus after a single shift. Similar studies in waste management have revealed hundreds of bacterial and fungal species on workers’ clothing after completing their duties.

In high-risk settings like healthcare or waste handling, even the way workers move matters. “The more you disturb contaminated clothing, the more likely microbes will resuspend into the air where they can be inhaled. If you stay still and avoid touching your uniform, the risk is much lower,” says Bird.

While there’s a lack of direct studies on cleaning industry uniforms, there’s enough crossover from healthcare, farming and industrial sectors to raise concern. Allergens like pet dander and pollen are known to be carried from place to place via clothing. In farming households, fungal spores have been found in concentrations up to 1000 times higher than in non-farming homes – another clear indicator of clothing as a transmission pathway.

“Wearing disposable coveralls and shoe covers is far better than trying to decontaminate your clothing later. Prevention is the best defence when it comes to protecting your household,” Bird advises.

A clean view to the future

So what can be done? For starters, work clothes should be treated with the same care as cleaning protocols. Change into fresh clothes before heading home. Use dedicated footwear for work. Wash uniforms separately, ideally in hot water with appropriate disinfectants. And if possible, shower before returning to your household, especially if you live with children, elderly relatives or anyone with compromised immunity.

The assumption that textiles pose low infection risk often stems from a lack of data, not evidence of safety. Until targeted research is done in the cleaning sector, the best approach is caution. “Germs that settle on clothing can later transfer to your hands and then be ingested. Or they can become airborne again during movement or undressing. It’s not just a hygiene issue – it’s a risk pathway,” Bird warns.

“I believe we need greater clarity and training for employers and staff, and a plentiful, affordable supply of protective equipment for clothing and workers. I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is for frontline workers to access basic clothing protection, even in healthcare,” she adds.

There is also a gap in local regulation. Bird says she has not seen any industry-specific guidance around laundering contaminated workwear in Australia, especially for those expected to wash uniforms at home. For that reason, she recommends consulting infection control specialists or occupational hygienists for case-by-case advice.

Bird’s word on fomite transmission of respiratory viruses is clear: “While respiratory viruses like COVID and flu don’t primarily spread via clothing, in environments with high microbial load, such as remediation and waste, uniforms can act as a vehicle for transmission.

“Think about where the germ is trying to get to. If it’s a stomach bug, you don’t want it on your hands. If it causes a cough, it wants to get into your lungs, so airborne precautions matter more. Keeping your clothing clean and protected is part of the solution.

A version of this article first appeared on the ISSA website.