Knickers and Jocks - You're on the Clock

Your underwear isn't as clean as you may think it is...with health experts revealing even washing regularly isn't enough to keep the garments free of E. coli bacteria and dust mites.

According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, "83% of ‘clean’ underwear contains up to 10,000 living bacteria", and underwear should be thrown out every 12 months as a result.

Courtney had the story on the Brekkie Flow.

To keep clothes properly clean, the Institute recommends maintaining your washing machine by:

• Wiping out detergent drawers with a damp cloth after each use to stop detergent build-up. Every couple of months, pull out the entire drawer and clean it thoroughly in hot, soapy water.

• Running a service wash once a month on a hot wash with no clothes or detergent in the machine. This will rid the machine of mould and bacteria.

• Checking and cleaning drain filters regularly – you’ll be amazed by the amount of dirt that collects there.

• Wiping the rubber seal with a solution of dilluted bleach after every few washes to prevent build-up of mould and bacteria.

• Leaving the machine door and detergent drawer slightly ajar when not in use to allow air to circulate and prevent the growth of bacteria.