60°C is the perfect temperature for killing bacteria, viruses and removing stains. This wash setting is also highly recommended for washing towels and bedding, but obviously this setting is going to increase running costs as the higher the temperature the higher the cost.
Any lower washing temperature offers survival conditions for bacteria and induces cross-contamination in the laundry. Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, for example, have been shown to survive laundry programs at 50°C (Munk et al., 2001).
Tests have proven that washing your clothes at 60°C, with a good detergent, is perfectly adequate to kill bacteria.” “Just make sure that you check all garments are suitable to be washed at this temperature before putting them in the washing machine.
Sanitation and Sterilization Benefits: Hot water is better at killing bacteria, viruses, and allergens that may be present on clothing and linens. This is particularly important when washing items such as towels, bedding, and clothes that have been exposed to illness or allergens.
Uses high heat (>150° F) to reduce bacteria, and the cool down is extended to protect users from a hot garment.
Mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 1 quart of water. Pour the bleach solution into the empty tub and run a complete cycle on hot water. After the cycle is complete, wipe down the interior with a damp cloth and leave the lid open to air dry. To deep clean, remove the agitator cap and wash it in warm, soapy water.
But don't make the water too hot. Washing heavily soiled articles with hot water can set stains. For heavily soiled clothes, prewash them in cool water, then wash them again in water that is 130°F or higher. The rinse water can always be cold without any harmful effects on the wash load.
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.
Not all stains respond to warmer water. For example, blood and sweat can actually set into fabric in hot water. Also, hot water tends to shrink, fade, and wrinkle certain fabrics. By not heating the water in your washing machine, you may reduce your energy costs with every load.
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To kill the germs in your laundry, wash your clothes on the hot cycle, then put everything in the dryer for 45 minutes. Wash whites with bleach, and use peroxide or color-safe bleach for colors. Do your laundry in water that's at least 140 F to kill any viruses or bacteria.
Hot water cycles, which typically run at 130°F or above, can sanitize the nasty things quite well — like vomit, feces, and urine. Hot water is also exceptional at loosening and rinsing away dirt, grass, oily stains and sweat stains.
Sheets should be washed at a warm temperature to kill bacteria. A good temperature to wash bed sheets is 40 degrees but a 60-degree wash will be better at killing germs and should be used if someone in the house has been ill. As always, it's best to consult your bedding care labels for guidance on temperature.
Run a Hot Wash Occasionally: Once a month or so, run a hot wash cycle (around 60°C) with an empty machine. This can help to kill any lingering bacteria that may be present within the drum. Adding a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle can further aid in disinfection.
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Towels should be washed in the warmest water appropriate for the fabric according to the care label. Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle.
Wash jeans in warm water: Most of the time when you have something that you want to wash gently you wash it in cold water. But that's not the case when you are washing denim jeans. Warm water will help the color stay in the jeans and help keep the jeans from shrinking. Hot water is too hot and can destroy the fabric.
Add half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine drum before starting the wash cycle. Baking soda and vinegar are great at removing tough stains and can effectively fight against harmful bacteria in your laundry.
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.
Hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit or above) is most effective in removing dirt and stains. “We always advise 'the hottest water possible' as you keep in mind the different needs of different fabrics," says cleaning expert Mary Gagliardi. "The higher the temperature, the better the cleaning.”
If you overload the drum, there will be less water available for the detergent to dissolve in as the clothes will soak this up. We therefore recommend that you leave a hands width gap at the top of the washing machine drum when loading. This roughly equates to filling 3/4 of the drum.
Avoid hot water – high temperatures will cause cotton to shrink, so opt for a delicate cycle or a cold wash to avoid your favorite cotton items from shrinking. Flip them inside out – to protect the outside of the garment from the abrasive agitation of the washing process, turn them inside out.