Should you use laundry sanitizer on towels?

Author: Juliet Bailey  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer is specially designed to sanitize your laundry and to kill 99.9% of bacteria*. It can be used on most washable fabrics including: Baby Clothes, Gym Clothes, Undergarments, Towels, Bedding, and Delicates.

Is laundry sanitizer good for towels?

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer is a laundry additive designed to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses that can linger on clothing and linens, even after washing. It is especially useful for sanitizing items that require extra protection, such as towels, bedding, and gym clothes.

When should you use laundry sanitizer?

The laundry sanitizer is intended to be added during the rinse cycle. Therefore, the proper way to use it is to add it to your fabric softener compartment ( due to it's chemical formulation and how it works.) Otherwise it will be wasted, and you'll be pouring expensive product down the drain.

Where should I put laundry sanitizer?

A: Laundry Sanitizer is added into the fabric softener compartment so that it is dispensed during the rinse cycle. If there is no compartment in the machine, it is recommended to add liquid at the beginning of the rinse cycle. Thank you for your feedback!

How do you disinfect towels in laundry?

Wash towels in hot water (at least 140°F or 60°C) to help kill bacteria and remove oils. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle. Vinegar helps to break down detergent residue and eliminate odors. For extra freshness, you can also add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle along with your regular detergent.

5 Things I Would Never Do as a Laundry Expert | Consumer Reports

What is the best thing to wash towels with?

Most detergents are fine for washing towels, so your favorite should work just fine. Add Bleach if Desired – If you have stains on your towels, bleach works well to get them clean. When washing white towels, you can use chlorine or non-chlorine (color-safe) bleach.

Do hotels sanitize towels?

To ensure that towels are sterile and appear spotless, hotels often use strong chemical detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners. These chemicals can linger in the fibers of the towels and may cause skin irritation, dryness, or allergic reactions upon contact.

Is laundry sanitizer worth buying?

If you are looking for a way to kill bacteria and viruses on your clothing or household linens, laundry sanitizer may be a good option for you. However, it is generally not necessary to use this product on a regular basis.

What's the difference between sanitize and disinfect?

Sanitizing kills bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not intended to kill viruses. Yes, EPA registers products that sanitize. Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals.

Does laundry sanitizer leave residue?

Using too little sanitizer may not effectively kill the germs, while using too much may leave residue on your clothes.

What happens if you put laundry sanitizer in with detergent?

You may notice your normal detergent is not as effective if you mix with Lysol Laundry Disinfectant. These products are not meant to be used together so we do not recommend it. There are no safety concerns, but you will not have the best usage experience for both products.

Does white vinegar sanitize laundry?

A half cup of white vinegar can act as a disinfectant and a deodorizer—removing those pesky germs and working to soften your fabrics.

Where do you put sanitizer in a washing machine?

To remove germs and odour-causing bacteria: - Front Loader: Add 1 capful to the fabric softener drawer of your washing machine. - Top Loader: Add 2 capfuls to the fabric softener drawer of your washing machine.

When should I use laundry sanitizer?

"For gym clothes, workout wear, any clothing that gets sweaty, smelly, and gross—sanitize it all!" says Mary Gagliardi, aka "Dr. Laundry," Clorox's in-house scientist and cleaning expert. "A good rule is: if you sweated in or on something, it needs to be sanitized.

How do I make my towels smell good in the washing machine?

It's normal for your towel to become musty and for smells to linger over time with regular use of your towel. To remove musty towel smells add about 64 grams or ½ cup of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to your detergent tray and wash as normal.

What detergent kills fungus?

Here are the top three antifungal laundry detergents that you should consider:
  • Defunkify Active Wear Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Solimo Liquid Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent.

How does Lysol laundry sanitizer work?

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

It's an additive that's specially formulated to kill germs on your clothes and in your laundry machine. Typically, you would have to use very hot water to get rid of potentially harmful contaminants, but the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer can kill bacteria even when you run a cold cycle.

Does vinegar sanitize or disinfect?

Acetic acid (vinegar) is an effective mycobactericidal disinfectant that should also be active against most other bacteria. These findings are consistent with and extend the results of studies performed in the early and mid-20th century on the disinfectant capacity of organic acids.

How should sanitizer towels be stored when not in use?

Final answer: A cleaning/sanitizing towel should be stored in a sanitizing solution when not in use to maintain cleanliness and prevent the spread of germs. Incorrect storage can result in cross-contamination.

Can I put laundry sanitizer directly in washer?

To kill bacteria, use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the fabric softener compartment or pour directly into the rinse cycle. Use two caps filled to the correct line for your machine. To disinfect, pre-soak with laundry sanitizer. Use 2 capfuls in 1 gallon of cold water.

How to sanitize towels?

While vinegar on its own is a miracle worker, it becomes a superstar when coupled with baking soda. To perform this deep clean, you'll need to run two towel-only loads. But, in this method, you load the towels with a quarter cup of baking soda first. Then run the washing machine on the hottest cycle possible.

What laundry detergent kills MRSA?

Lysol® kills 99.9% of viruses & bacteria, including MRSA!

What is the best disinfectant for towels?

Liquid bleach is one highly effective option: The University of Arizona laundry study found that adding bleach to the load reduced the number of viruses by over 99.99%. 1 For normal loads, a 3/4 cup of bleach should be enough to disinfect the items, according to the Clorox website.

How do hotels keep their white towels so white?

Hotels maintain the whiteness of their towels after multiple washes by using careful laundering techniques, high-quality detergents and optical brighteners. To keep towels smelling fresh, hotels use scented laundry products, prioritize proper drying and store the towels in clean and dry spaces.

How do hospitals wash their sheets?

Hot water washing at a temperature of at least 160°F is advisable. You can use a steam jet during this process. The laundry should be dried and pressed before being transported back to the facility. Be sure the items are well packaged before transportation to prevent contamination from dust and dirt.

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