Disinfecting laundry is important to keep it fresh and clean, so you can ensure the health of all family members. Using bleach during the wash cycle or soaking laundry is an extremely effective method of disinfecting cloth diapers, towels, sheets and the rest of the laundry. Not all fabrics, however, can be treated with bleach and not all washing machines allow its use. Fortunately, there are other cleaning agents, such as hydrogen peroxide and borax, grapefruit seed extract, tea tree oil, and lavender essential oil, which can help you disinfect laundry after it has been exposed to germs and poor hygiene conditions.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Machine Wash with Bleach
Step 1. Set the laundry program to the highest possible temperature
When you want to disinfect clothes with bleach, you have to wash them on the hottest cycle. Check the labels of the various clothes to understand what temperature they can withstand and select it on the appliance.
- Usually, very hot water is used for whites (between 60 and 90 ° C);
- Colored fabrics should be washed with colder water, between 30 and 40 ° C;
- Delicate cloths are usually washed by hand or with a cold water cycle.
Step 2. Pour the proper amount of detergent
Once the water temperature has been selected, fill the detergent cap with the recommended amount based on the size of the load; pour it directly into the basket or dispenser.
- If you are unsure in which area of the washing machine the detergent should be added, consult the instruction manual.
- The models with the front loading are generally equipped with a drawer or dispenser, while those with the top loading allow you to pour the detergent directly into the drum.
Step 3. Fill the bleach compartment
Consult the instructions on the package for the dosage of the product based on the size of the laundry, then pour it into the dispenser.
- If the washing machine does not have a specific sector for this substance, you can pour it directly into the drum; Before adding the bleach, however, you should start the wash cycle, so that the water fills the drum. Never put your laundry in the washing machine with undiluted bleach.
- Pay attention to the type of bleach you are using. The standard one is fine for delicate garments, while for colored ones you should opt for a more delicate formulation.
Step 4. Put the clothes in the washing machine and start the washing program
Once you have poured the detergent and bleach, put the laundry in the drum, close the lid and proceed with a normal wash; when finished, dry the fabrics according to the instructions on the labels.
Method 2 of 3: Soaking with Bleach
Step 1. Mix cold water and bleach
To make a disinfectant soaking solution, you need to dilute the bleach in cold water; the exact dosage depends on how much laundry you need to wash.
- If you have half filled the bathtub with cold water, add 120ml of bleach. if you have filled it for ¾, you need 180-240 ml of bleach.
- If you have opted for a smaller container than the tub, dilute 15 ml of bleach for every 4 liters of cold water up to a maximum of 20 liters.
- Choose the correct type of bleach for the type of laundry. Use the standard one only for whites; for the colored ones you have to use a more delicate formulation.
- Make sure the fabrics have already been washed before soaking them in bleach.
Step 2. Leave them in the solution for at least 15 minutes
Once the mixture is prepared, put the clothes in the water and let them soak for 15 minutes.
- If you are washing clothes that are exposed to contaminants, such as a sick person's cloth diapers or bedding, you should let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
- Do not leave fabrics in the bleach solution for more than 45 minutes.
Step 3. Rinse the laundry in very hot water and wash it as usual in the washing machine
After keeping it immersed in the solution for the appropriate period, rinse it carefully with very hot water; then put it in the washing machine for a normal washing program, thus removing all traces of bleach.
Read the labels on the clothes carefully to make sure they can be washed in very hot water
Method 3 of 3: No Bleach
Step 1. Wash or soak the clothes in hydrogen peroxide and borax
If you don't want to use bleach to sanitize your laundry, a mixture of these two substances is just as effective; you can prepare a solution to be poured in the washing machine or to soak clothes.
- If you opt for the solution in the washing machine, mix 1 liter of hydrogen peroxide with 400 g of borax, in addition to the usual detergent; however, remember to add the "ingredients" only after the appliance has filled up with a little water.
- To leave your clothes to soak, mix 1 liter of hydrogen peroxide with 400g of borax in the bathtub that you have already filled halfway with water. Leave the fabrics in the solution for 15-30 minutes, rinse them with very hot water and then machine wash them as usual on a very high temperature.
- Be careful when using hydrogen peroxide on dark colors; first test on a small portion of fabric that remains invisible.
Step 2. Leave clothing in grapefruit seed extract solution
This substance is a natural disinfectant, and for your purpose you can pour 5-10 drops of it into 4 liters of water. Leave the laundry in the liquid for 15-30 minutes and rinse it with hot water at the end; then put it in the washing machine as usual, setting a normal program.
Do not leave the laundry to soak in grapefruit seed extract for more than an hour
Step 3. Pour tea tree or lavender oil into the washing machine while washing
Just like grapefruit seed extract, these substances are antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial by nature. While you normally do your laundry in the washing machine, drop 2-3 drops of tea tree oil or 1-2 drops of lavender oil into the detergent; wait for the washing cycle to finish and dry the fabrics according to the instructions on the label.
Since these are two scented oils, it is best to use an odorless detergent
Advice
- It is worth disinfecting the laundry of every family member who has been ill.
- If you are doing laundry in a public facility, such as a laundromat, it is a good idea to use a disinfectant product.
- Some people are allergic to bleach; before washing your laundry with this substance you should therefore make sure that no member of the household is.
- Some detergents are most effective at certain water temperatures; if so, follow the instructions on the package instead of setting the temperature too high or too low.
Warnings
- Do not pour bleach, hydrogen peroxide or essential oils into the washing machine without first testing a hidden corner of the fabrics. You must make sure that the laundry does not react negatively to contact with these substances, otherwise you can damage it.
- Some appliance manufacturers advise against using bleach in their washing machines; read the instruction manual to find out if you can use it. Using bleach when it shouldn't be could void the warranty on the appliance.
