Using the same basket before and after doing laundry can potentially lead to cross-contamination, and it is generally not recommended for hygiene reasons. Here's why:
Bacteria and germs: Dirty clothes can carry bacteria, sweat, body oils, and other contaminants. If you use the same basket to carry clean clothes, you risk transferring these germs onto your freshly washed clothes, making them unsanitary to wear.
Odor transfer: Dirty clothes may have unpleasant odors that can transfer to clean clothes in the same basket, leaving them smelling less fresh and clean.
Staining: If some of the dirty clothes have stains, there's a possibility that the stains could transfer to other clothes in the basket during transportation.
To maintain proper hygiene and prevent the risk of cross-contamination, it's advisable to use separate baskets or bags for dirty and clean clothes. You can designate a specific basket or bag for transporting dirty laundry to the laundry area and use a different, clean basket for bringing back the washed and folded clothes to your living space.
Additionally, make sure to wash the laundry basket itself regularly to keep it clean and free from bacteria or odors. Using disposable laundry bags or lining the basket with a clean cloth or liner can also be helpful in reducing direct contact between dirty clothes and the basket.