In order to properly disinfect your bedding, you need to use the right laundry settings. Don't just set it on cold like you do for your colored clothes! Instead, you need to be setting your washing machine to the hottest temperature setting. This is because heat kills germs!
The University of Arizona laundry study found that adding bleach to the load reduced the number of viruses by over 99.99%. Other commercial disinfecting laundry detergents can also help kill bacteria and germs that regular detergents might leave behind.
A disinfectant, such as chlorine bleach, added to your load does a much better job getting rid of pathogens. Still, hot water can't hurt. Use the warmest water setting the items can take, and wash them according to the maker's instructions.
Thankfully, vinegar can dissolve these deposits and help to kill odour-causing bacteria, soften fabric and restore absorbency. To resolve detergent build-up, add ½ cup of white vinegar to the conditioner compartment per load or a full cup for bedding and towels as a preventative measure.
To sanitize laundry, add one cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a regular wash cycle. And just like white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide has other benefits for your laundry, like whitening, brightening, and disinfecting.
White vinegar is a very effective disinfectant. Adding ½ cup of white vinegar to your laundry will eliminate germs and bacteria that can lead to unpleasant odors. It also acts as a deodorizer, removing unpleasant odors that are not caused by germs or bacteria.
“Doctors recommend washing at 60 degrees or above to kill germs. When washing at lower temperatures, add a laundry disinfectant such as Dettol to your wash to kill bacteria.”
You should use color-safe bleach for any dyed fabrics, and chlorine bleach for white bedding. Hydrogen peroxide – Unlike chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide is safe for most fabrics and dyes. Add 1 cup of this antiseptic oxidizer to your wash. Note: you should still spot test to make sure it doesn't cause discoloration.
Detergent alone does not always kill bacteria. To kill bacteria, use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the fabric softener compartment or pour directly into the rinse cycle.
Does vinegar disinfect laundry? Vinegar is not an effective disinfectant. It only works on a few strains of bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella.
Disinfectant spray or wipes: Disinfectant sprays or wipes are an essential tool for disinfecting bed sheets at hotels.
Clean the bed sheets
Any sheets, duvets, mattress toppers, or other items from the bed should be stripped and put in the washing machine. Ensure you wash the bedding on the washing machine's highest temperature and using the correct antibacterial laundry detergent. This will help to kill any lingering germs.
Lysol is known for its germ-fighting products, and this gentle formula is no different. It doesn't contain any bleach, and even activates in cold water to kill up to 99.9 percent of bacteria. It's safe to use on whites and colors, and on delicate items like baby clothing and bedding too.
Natural Cleaners
Add a quart of white vinegar and a cup of baking soda to the cleaning mode and run the washer without clothes. If your washer has an extra soak option, run that to allow the cleaning mixture to really settle into the machine.
Adding baking soda or vinegar to your laundry can help you clean both your washing machine and your garments better. Both of these pantry staples are an effective and inexpensive way to remove mildew odors, soften fabrics, and even brighten your whites.
Laundry sanitizer may be used as an additional measure against germs, but it isn't essential for most laundry tasks. Instead, focus on selecting high-quality eco-friendly laundry products, and follow good laundering habits like washing clothes before they become overly dirty or smelly.
White Vinegar
When used in your laundry, these germs can easily be washed away during a cleaning cycle. To use vinegar to disinfect your laundry, try adding 1 cup to the rinse cycle. Not only can it kill germs and bacteria, but it's also a great natural deodorizer.
To wash bleach-safe bed sheets and towels, machine wash in the hottest water recommended using a good detergent and ⅔ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a traditional deep-fill washer, or ⅓ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a high efficiency clothes washer. Make sure the bleach contacts the load for 10 minutes.
What should I run through my washing machine to clean it? Once you're finished wiping down the inside of your front loader, you should run distilled white vinegar through it. Measure out two cups of distilled white vinegar and pour them directly into your washing machine's liquid detergent dispenser.
Using too much vinegar or the wrong type can actually harm the rubber seals in your washer, so it's important to make sure you only use white vinegar and do so in moderation.
The Benefits of Using Vinegar in Laundry
There are many uses for vinegar in laundry, including stain removal, odor elimination, and mold and mildew eradication. Vinegar can also be used as an alternative to commercial fabric softeners.