Getting the dirt out of your laundry is one job. Making sure germs are gone is another. Bacteria and viruses can linger on clothes, towels, and bedding, and plain detergent does not always remove them.
To kill germs in laundry, wash with detergent in the hottest water the care label allows, then dry on high heat. For extra protection, add a laundry sanitizer or chlorine bleach on white fabrics, or oxygen bleach on colorfast ones, following the product label. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners.
Germs also collect inside your washing machine, so it is worth keeping the washer clean and disinfected as well. Read on for the easiest methods for both clothes and machines.
What Is Living in Your Laundry?
Bacteria and other microorganisms are everywhere. If you wash clothes promptly, most of them are removed. But when sweaty, dirty clothes sit in the hamper for days or weeks, microbes keep multiplying.
Bad smells come from sweat, soil, and the bacteria feeding on them, but you cannot tell whether clothes are germy just by sniffing them. Some germs have no odor.
Underwear, cloth diapers, and heavily soiled children’s clothes tend to carry the most germs. Wash those separately from the rest, along with items that are very sweaty or greasy, to limit the spread.
Towels also deserve their own load. They stay damp for a long time, which makes it easier for bacteria to survive in them.
Read more: How Laundry Detergent Works
Can Laundry Detergent Kill Germs?
Detergent mostly removes germs by lifting them off fabric and flushing them away with the wash water. It does not reliably kill them. Detergent combined with hot water and a hot dryer is the most dependable way to cut germs without adding chemicals.
Heat has limits, though. Many fabrics cannot handle hot water, and hot water can fade colors or shrink clothes. Always check the care label first, and use the hottest temperature the garment allows. Many washers also have a sanitize or hygiene cycle that runs hotter for longer.
For extra germ-fighting on fabrics that can take it, add oxygen bleach (color-safe bleach) to the wash. Follow the directions on the package for the right amount and soaking time. Wash heavily soiled items by themselves.
If you soak laundry first, use a bucket or the washer, add the bleach product according to its label, and let items sit for the time listed. Then wash the items as usual, so all chemical residue is rinsed out.
Finish by drying. The heat of a hot dryer kills many germs. If you line dry, drying in direct sunlight can help reduce germs and freshen fabrics, though it is less dependable than heat.
Read more: Does Detergent Kill Fleas and Other Nasty Bugs?
Laundry Disinfectants
If you need more than hot water, such as when someone in your home is sick, you can use a laundry disinfectant or sanitizer. Look for products that state on the label that they are designed for laundry and kill germs, and follow their directions exactly.
Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is a strong, fast-acting disinfectant that works in water of any temperature, so you can use it in hot, warm, or cold wash cycles. The temperature matters more for the fabric than for the bleach. Household bleach typically contains around 5 to 8 percent sodium hypochlorite, so check the bottle for its strength and directions.
Use it only on white or bleach-safe fabrics, and check the care label first. Bleach can remove color, damage some fibers, and irritate skin and lungs.
Measure the amount given on the bottle or in your washer’s manual, and pour it into the bleach dispenser. If there is no dispenser, dilute it in water and add it to the drum after the tub has filled with water and before you add clothes. Never pour undiluted bleach directly on fabric.
Add detergent separately and run the cycle as usual. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners, because the mix can create toxic gases. Bleach also helps remove stains and clean the machine itself, but see the washer section below for safer routines. For more on stains that bleach and detergent can leave behind, see What Are These Blue Stains on My Washed Clothes?
Pine Oil Disinfectant
Pine oil disinfectants have been sold for decades, and some are registered as laundry disinfectants. They have a strong scent that can linger on clothes.
Only use a product whose label says it is meant for laundry, and follow the directions for the right amount and water temperature. Do not use pine oil disinfectants on the clothes of anyone with skin allergies or sensitive skin, or around babies and pets.
Phenolic Disinfectant
Phenolic disinfectants are effective against many bacteria and work well in warm or hot water. They are strong chemicals, though, and repeated skin exposure can cause irritation.
Use only products labeled for laundry, in the recommended amount. Some fabrics can be damaged, so test first and check the label. Most households will do better with heat, oxygen bleach, or a laundry sanitizer.
Gentler Ways to Cut Germs Without Bleach
Chlorine bleach works well, but it can be harsh on fabrics and skin. If you prefer something gentler, the options below can help. Be aware that these natural products are generally less reliable than heat or a registered disinfectant, so use them for general freshening and light sanitizing rather than for serious illness.
Borax
Borax (sodium borate) is a white mineral powder that dissolves in water. It boosts detergent, softens water, and helps with odors. It works best in warm or hot water. Keep it away from children and pets, and avoid inhaling the dust.
To use it:
- Start by filling the washer with hot or warm water, if the clothes allow it.
- Once it is filled, add laundry detergent and the clothes.
- Add about half a cup of borax to the wash, or the amount listed on the package.
This helps the borax dissolve and spread evenly through the load.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Some, such as tea tree, thyme, and lavender, have antimicrobial properties in lab settings, but there is little evidence that the small amounts used in a wash load disinfect clothes.
If you like the scent, add just a few drops to a wash load, or to a dryer ball. Avoid pouring large amounts into the machine, since oils can stain fabrics and leave residue. Every oil has a distinctive smell, so choose one you like.
Essential oils can be hazardous around pregnant women, young children, and pets. Tea tree oil in particular is toxic to cats and dogs, so skip them if you have animals at home.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is a popular, low-cost laundry helper. Its acetic acid helps remove soap residue, neutralize odors, and soften fabrics, and it is gentle on most colors. It can reduce some bacteria, but it is not an EPA-registered disinfectant, so do not rely on it to kill germs after illness.
To use it, add about half a cup to the rinse or fabric softener compartment. Never mix vinegar with bleach in the same load or in the same container, because the combination releases harmful chlorine gas.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Many people know hydrogen peroxide as a first-aid antiseptic, but it also has mild bleaching and disinfecting properties. Because it can lighten colors, it is best on white clothes. Test a hidden spot first.
You can add about a cup of standard 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to a load of whites after the washer has filled with water, then run a normal cycle. Do not combine it with vinegar in the same container, and keep it away from colored fabrics.
Read more: Is Antibacterial Detergent Really Worth It?
Heat
Heat is your best germ-fighting tool. Hot water and hot drying reduce most bacteria and viruses, which is why hot washes are usually recommended for bedding, towels, and sickroom laundry, as long as the fabrics can take it.
If you wash in cold water to protect colors, the heat of the dryer helps do the job. Many washers also include a sanitize cycle that runs at a very high temperature to kill germs on durable fabrics. Always check your care labels before turning up the heat.
How to Disinfect Your Washing Machine
Even if your clothes are clean, mold and mildew inside the machine can transfer to them. So keep the washer clean along with the clothes. These steps help:
- Run an empty hot cycle with a washing machine cleaner, or with either bleach or vinegar, never both. Check your manual for the amount. Doing this about once a month is enough for most households.
- Wipe the rubber gasket around the door of a front-loader and the detergent drawer every week or two with a disinfecting cleaner or a diluted bleach solution, then dry them.
- Clean the lint filter or drain pump filter if your machine has one, as directed in the manual. This removes trapped germs and keeps the machine running efficiently.
- Leave the door or lid open after you finish washing. A closed door traps moisture inside, and a front-loader’s tight seal makes that worse, which encourages mold and bacteria. Leaving it open lets the drum dry out.
Read more: Is Liquid Detergent Bad for Washing Machine?
A few everyday habits also cut down on germs. Do not let damp laundry sit in the washer or hamper for long, because moisture helps bacteria multiply. Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry, especially when someone is sick, and avoid shaking soiled items, which can spread germs into the air. Clean any laundry basket that held contaminated clothes, and let it dry completely before you reuse it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cold Water Kill Germs in Laundry?
Cold water does not kill most germs by itself, though detergent still washes many of them away. For better results, use a laundry sanitizer or oxygen bleach, or finish with a hot dryer.
How Often Should I Wash Towels and Bedding?
Wash towels after about three uses, and bedding about once a week. Wash anything used by a sick person right away, and keep it separate from other laundry.
Can I Mix Bleach and Vinegar to Kill Germs?
No. Mixing them releases chlorine gas, which is dangerous to breathe. Use one product at a time, and rinse the machine thoroughly between them.
Is the Sun Really Good at Killing Germs on Clothes?
Sunlight can help reduce some germs and freshen fabrics, but it is not as reliable as heat from a dryer. Treat it as a bonus rather than a substitute.
Conclusion
Clothes pick up germs from many sources, and underwear, towels, and children’s clothes are the most likely to carry them. If they sit in the hamper for long, germs can multiply and spread to other items.
Detergent removes many germs but does not reliably kill them. For better results, combine detergent with hot water and a hot dryer, and add oxygen bleach or a laundry sanitizer when you need extra protection.
Chlorine bleach is highly effective, but it can harm fabrics and irritate your skin, so use it carefully and never mix it with other products. Gentler options such as borax and white vinegar can help freshen laundry, but they are not true disinfectants. Keep your washer clean and dry, and your laundry will stay fresher too.
