Department or Program
Environmental Studies
Abstract
80% of student participants surveyed regularly used the preset cold/warm cycle to wash all or part of their laundry in their regular laundry methods using machines in Bates College on-campus residences. All of the student participants surveyed regularly used bleach-free detergents. This common laundry method was examined for effects on growth inhibition of the following normal microbiota species: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp., and Escherichia coli. Twenty student participants (ten male and ten female) wore clean, new cotton socks for a day; one sock from each pair was used as a control while the other was washed using the laundry method above. Washing most inhibited growth consistent with S. aureus, but it was not as efficient in inhibiting growths consistent with E. coli and Ps. spp. More bacterial growth consistent with Ps. spp. occurred in the more tightly knit cotton socks distributed to female participants than in socks distributed to male participants.
Level of Access
Restricted: Campus/Bates Community Only Access
First Advisor
Karen Palin
Date of Graduation
Spring 5-2016
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Recommended Citation
Jhun, James K., "Student Laundry Methods at Bates College: Bacterial Growth Inhibition of Three Normal Microbiota Species" (2016). Standard Theses. 91.
https://scarab.bates.edu/envr_studies_theses/91
Number of Pages
23
Restricted
Available to Bates community via local IP address or Bates login.