How To Sanitize Your Laundry To Prevent One Infected Clothing Item From Infecting Your Entire Load…

Did you know that cleaning and disinfecting are two different processes that impact viruses and germs in different ways? Cleaning removes dirt and germs from surfaces. Removing germs through a simple wash cycle can help lower the risk of spreading viruses and bacteria, but it doesn’t kill them. When someone in the family is sick you can help prevent other family members from becoming ill also. After you disinfect the doorknobs, TV remotes, and light switches remember the clothing and linens can also harbor bacteria and viruses. One item of contaminated clothing is enough to soil an entire load of laundry. Regular washing with detergent alone is not effective in killing fecal matter viruses. To prevent the spread of germs throughout the household sanitize the items that someone sick contacted or worse. We will give you some disinfecting strategies to ensure these items emerge from the wash clean and germ-free. Wash away germs from clothing and fabrics with these laundry sanitizing tips….

How to Sanitize Laundry

• Use the Sanitizing Cycle (If You Have One) – Appliances with a sanitize cycle use extra hot water temperature and a longer wash cycle to kill 99% of bacteria and viruses, and a pump purge and extended rinse that removes contaminants.
• Hot Water is the Next Best Thing – If you do not have a sanitizing cycle using the hottest water temperature available is recommended. Sanitize cycles are harsh on clothes so you will not want to use them unless you need to sanitize your clothes and linens. High temperatures can damage delicate fabrics so make sure the care label on your clothing says it is safe to wash in hot water.
• Use Bleach If Hot Water Isn’t An Option – If items are not safe for hot water: If you cannot use hot water use an extra disinfecting boost. Liquid bleach is one highly effective option. Adding bleach to the laundry load reduces the number of viruses by over 99.99%. For normal loads, a 3/4 cup of bleach should be enough to disinfect the items.
• Use Non-Bleach Sanitizers for Extremely Delicate Items – Non-bleach laundry sanitizers may be the best choice for very delicate items but refer to the label for specific fabrics that are safe for use.

Normal Laundry Loads

The best suggestion for laundry loads that do not need to be disinfected is that it is fine to use a regular wash cycle with cold water. Cold water is better for the environment and your budget. Do not overload your washer and only use the appropriate amount of laundry detergent for the size and soil level.

The next time someone in your family falls ill, we hope you will remember these laundry sanitizing tips to wash the germs and bacteria away. A little extra cleaning power can help keep you and your family healthy.