Domestic and institutional hygiene in relation to sustainability. Historical, social and environmental implications

This article gives an interesting and clear overview on how people practiced cleanliness from ancient to modern times. The author urges scientists and professionals in the field of hygiene to be aware that in recent decades, and probably also in the future, technical measures to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning methods have affected household and institutional cleaning processes, degrading the level of cleaning and, indirectly, the level of hygiene. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 1998;41:169-175.