What is the best disinfectant for washing machines?

Author: Eldon Fahey  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Use Bleach to Clean Washer Tub A washer's tub is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Cleaning a washing machine with bleach is a highly effective way to kill these microorganisms. Bleach also breaks down stubborn stains and gets rid of lingering odors.

What is the best way to disinfect a washing machine?

Once a week, run an empty cycle with just a cup of bleach or of vinegar. This will disinfect your washer, and prevent germs from hanging out in the drum. You need to do this regularly to keep the machine sanitary.

What disinfectant can I use in a washing machine?

If your washing machine emits a damp smell, you can quickly reduce it using Dettol Mould and Mildew Remover Spray or a mixture of white vinegar and water. Spray or apply the solution to the rubber seal, drum, and other affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the solution to reduce the odours.

What is the most effective laundry disinfectant?

The most effective way to sanitize your laundry is to use Clorox® Fabric Sanitizer, which is designed specifically to sanitize stubborn smells away. It kills the smelly bacteria that detergents and many home remedies can't.

Does vinegar really disinfect laundry?

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. White vinegar can be used on colors and whites, keeping clothes bright, and works as an effective fabric softener, too.

Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner 15s

What happens if you use vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Does hydrogen peroxide disinfect laundry?

Despite its technical-sounding name, hydrogen peroxide is one of the most eco-friendly compounds you can use. That's because it's a naturally occurring element formed by sunlight acting on water, making it perfectly safe for many uses—including sanitizing laundry.

Does OxiClean sanitize laundry?

OxiClean™ Laundry & Home Sanitizer kills 99.9% of bacteria & viruses around the home, including laundry, couches, carpets, tile & more.

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.

What is a natural disinfectant for washing clothes?

White vinegar has an ingredient known as acetic acid, which can kill viruses and bacteria so they can be easily washed away during the cleaning cycle. A half cup of white vinegar can act as a disinfectant and a deodorizer—removing those pesky germs and working to soften your fabrics.

What is the best thing to deep clean a washing machine with?

For a homemade option, you can try cleaning your washing machine with vinegar. Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting.

Can you use fabulosa disinfectant in a washing machine?

Fabulosa will Kill 99.9% of Bacteria and Viruses from your laundry! Simply pour 1 to 2 capfuls of your favourite Fabulosa Concentrated Disinfectant inside the fabric conditioning drawer of you washing machine along with your choice of laundry detergent (fabric conditioner optional).

What is the sanitize option on washing machine?

Sanitize Cycle In Washer & Dryers

This feature is designed to eliminate bacteria and allergens from clothing, bed linens, and other washable items. The washing machine increases the water temperature during the wash and rinse cycles, effectively killing bacteria and ensuring a thorough cleaning process.

Can you use Clorox wipes on a washing machine?

Don't forget to give the exterior of your machine a quick once over with one or two Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes.

How do you deodorize and disinfect your washing machine?

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum of the washer. Run a complete cycle. Set your machine to its highest heat setting. Run a full wash cycle just as you normally would, but without clothes.

How do you disinfect laundry from fungus?

Use hot water (60 C) and your regular detergent for infected laundry. Lower temperatures will not kill the fungus and can transfer spores to other fabrics in the same load. For white cotton socks, you can use chlorine bleach along with the hot water to disinfect the fabric.

Is there a laundry detergent that kills bacteria?

Lysol antibacterial detergent is a new detergent that does double duty because it's designed to remove both stains and bacteria. It's a detergent that cleans in more ways than one. Lysol what it takes to protect. 37oz. , 92oz. , 138oz.

What detergent removes fungus?

To remove them effectively, they need to be pre-treated, with Ariel powder being the most effective solution to remove mold stains from clothes. Ariel powder detergent has enzymes that are very efficient at breaking down mold stains.

How often should I sanitize my washing machine?

It's generally recommended to clean your washing machine once a month, especially if you want to prevent musty odours from forming inside the drum and keep your clothes smelling great.

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.

When should you not use OxiClean?

Use OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover powder for versatile applications. Can I use OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray on wool or silk items? OxiClean™ MaxForce™ is not designed to be used on dry clean only fabrics and should not be used on wool or silk items.

What is the best disinfectant for laundry?

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.

Is vinegar or hydrogen peroxide better for laundry?

It depends. Hydrogen peroxide is better for getting rid of tough stains and whitening whites. Vinegar, on the other hand, does a better job at removing residue from clothing and hard water build-up. Vinegar also is great for whitening clothing without bleach.

What kills staph in laundry?

For standard washers, add ⅔ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach to wash water. Add clothes and start wash. Ensure contact with bleach solution for 10 minutes.

Previous article
Can I use a shop vac to clean my ductwork?
Next article
Is yellow insulation better than pink?