Killing bacteria and germs on clothes is not something most of us think about when doing laundry. You just want clean clothes. But if you have sensitive skin, you are washing baby clothes or you are doing laundry for someone who is sick, then you need clothes to be clean as well as sanitized. 

A regular laundry cycle is not enough to kill germs on clothes when doing laundry. You have to take extra steps to make sure the laundry is truly disinfected.   

Importance of Sanitizing Laundry 

• Even if you are not sick and don't have sensitive skin, it’s still a good idea to disinfect laundry. It protects you from infections and kills odor-causing bacteria to ensure your clothes smell fresh. 
• Disinfecting clothes is doubly important if there’s someone sick in the house. Their clothes or bedding could be contaminated by pathogens, which can spread to other clothes. Even if you wash their laundry separately, germs can remain in the washing machine and contaminate other items. 
• If you are prone to acne and breakouts, disinfecting clothes will protect your sensitive skin. 
• You are laundering baby clothes. This is especially important for soiled items.  

Does A Washing Machine Kill Germs?

If soap and water is enough to remove germs from your hands, then surely the same should work for clothes. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Water and detergent are not enough to kill germs in a washing machine. 

This is especially the case when you wash clothes at a temperature lower than 140F (60C). Most detergents are not antibacterial. They simply remove germs from clothes. But this doesn't work as well on clothes as it does when you wash your hands with soap and water. So even after a cycle, clothes in a washing machine could still have germs on them. 

What about raising the temperature, does it help? Yes, it helps but it’s not enough. That’s because certain pathogens can survive in hot water. 

How to Sanitize Clothing, Linen and Bedding When Doing Laundry

If you want to be sure your laundry is disinfected, here are some of the things you can do. 

1. Wash Clothes at A High Temperature 

Washing clothes with cold or warm water (under 140F) barely kills any bacteria. If anything, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Any items you put in the washing machine get contaminated. 

The recommended minimum temperature for disinfecting clothes in a washing machine is 140F or 60C. This is great for cleaning bedding, towels, and soiled clothes. For soiled clothing and heavy cotton items, wash them at the highest temperature setting, which is 194F (90C) on most washing machines. 

Washing clothes at a high temperature kills many, but not all, germs. Many disease-causing germs can survive high temperatures. So if there’s someone in your family who is sick, don't just rely on the wash cycle to sanitize clothes.  

Note: Before you wash anything at a high temperature, check the care label to see if it is safe to do so. If it’s not, wash at the recommended temperature then use one of the other disinfection methods we discuss below. 

2. Use the Dryer at a High Heat Setting 

The dryer is more effective than a washing machine at killing bacteria. Experts recommend drying clothes at the highest temperature for around 30-45 minutes. This kills many of the remaining germs on clothes and linen, though a few could still survive the high temperatures. 

Of course, you shouldn’t tumble dry any delicate clothes and linen at the highest setting. For these, you’ll have to find an alternative way to sanitize them.  

3. Wash Clothes With Bleach 

You have two options if you want to effectively disinfect clothes in the washing machine: using bleach or laundry sanitizer. 

Bleach is a powerful disinfectant and it works even in cold water. So it’s great for sanitizing clothes that you don't want to wash with hot water. Simply add a third of a cup of bleach to the bleach or detergent dispenser. 

Remember to only use chlorine bleach with whites. For colored clothes or more delicate items, oxygen bleach is safer and gentler, and it kills bacteria just as well.  

4. Use a Laundry Sanitizer 

Laundry sanitizer is a good alternative if you don't want to use bleach in your washing machine to disinfect clothes. It is safe for most kinds of clothes including underwear and baby clothes. Laundry sanitizer kills bacteria, fungi and other kinds of germs in clothes and linen. 

Most types of laundry sanitizer are meant to be used in the rinse cycle, so you add it to the softener compartment. 

5. Hang Dry Clothes Outside 

If you don't have a dryer or would prefer not to use it for some of your clothes, the sun is also an effective disinfectant. Once the clothes are washed, hang them outside in a sunny area. The UV rays from the sun will kill germs it comes into contact with. 

6. Sanitize the Washing Machine

Your washing machine not only harbors mold and mildew, it’s also home to bacteria and other pathogens that can get onto any clothes you put inside. 

So you should regularly sanitize your washing machine by running an empty cycle using hot water and bleach. 

Final Thoughts

To further reduce risk of skin problems or getting sick, consider using antibacterial clothes and bedding. They have special fabrics that actively kill bacteria, including those that cause infections, acne and odors.  

Hercleon has a wide selection including shirts, underwear, sheets, pillowcase and more.