More than 8 million laundry and cleaning products are being recalled due to possible bacterial contamination

The recall of about 8 million The Laundress laundry and household cleaning products is the largest recall announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission last week.

Testing has identified bacteria in some of the recalled products, including those produced between January 2021 and September 2022.

The recalled products can contain bacteria, including Burkholderia cepacia complex, Klebsiella aerogenes, and different species of Pseudomonas; many are environmental organisms found widely in soil and water, and some may also be found in humans.

People with weakened immune systems, external medical devices, and underlying lung conditions who are exposed to the bacteria face a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria can enter the body if inhaled, or through the eyes or a break in the skin.

People with healthy immune systems usually aren’t affected by the bacteria, the CDC states.

So far, the company is aware of 11 consumers who have reported Pseudomonas infections and is investigating these reports to see if there is a connection to the recalled products.

The recall involves The Laundress laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, and other cleaning products with lot codes beginning with a prefix letter F and the last four digits numbered 9354 or less, H and the last four digits numbered 2262 or less, and T and the last four digits numbered 5264 or less. 

For a list of recalled products, visit www.TheLaundressRecall.com. All products have “The Laundress – New York” printed at the top of the label.

The recalled products were sold online at TheLaundress.com, Amazon.com, and other websites and in stores at The Laundress, Bloomingdale’s, The Container Store, Saks Fifth Avenue, Target, Nordstrom, Jenni Kayne, Kith, Peruvian Connection, N.Peal, Brooklinen, and other retailers nationwide through September 2022. The cost was between $8 and $100.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advise.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products on or after January 2021 can request a refund using either a photo of the lot code with their initials and the date written in marker or a receipt, or if purchased through www.TheLaundress.com, consumers can submit their e-mail address for a refund.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products before January 2021 should take a photo of the lot code with their initials and the date written in marker and contact The Laundress for a refund, with receipt, or of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, without receipt.

After requesting a refund, the company is asking consumers to dispose of the product by closing the bottle tightly and placing it in the trash. It specifically requests that consumers don’t empty the product prior to disposal. 

Call The Laundress at 800-681-1915 or visit www.TheLaundressRecall.com to begin the reimbursement process. 

For details on other recalls, go to www.recalls.gov.