Experts at Dr Beckmann advise regular washing of clothes at 60 degrees to help eliminate the spread of bacteria & viruses.
Most experts agree that a temperature of at least 60℃ is needed to kill bacteria in the washing machine. Several NHS hospitals including Royal United Hospital Bath recommend washing at 60°C to prevent the spread of infections.
Dr. Sowa recommended that washing machines be periodically cleansed of their considerable load of bacteria by running them for a regular cycle with bleach and water but without clothing.
When you wash at temperatures below 60 degrees with regular liquid detergent, bacteria and viruses can survive on your clothes. However, with Persil antibacterial laundry sanitiser a washing temperature as low as 20°C kills 99.9% viruses* and bacteria.
It contains acetic acid, which kills viruses and bacteria; plus, white vinegar works as a disinfectant and a deodorizer. Just use 1 half cup in your laundry (this works on both whites and colors) and you'll have disinfected, softer laundry free of any lingering stinky smells.
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.
Even worse, one microbiologist has found that bacteria such as E. coli can survive the average laundry cycle.
White Vinegar
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.
Choose the hottest setting on your washing machine. Most mold spores will die at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), so cold and warm water cycles won't work.
Take-Aways
It is essential to clean your washing machine once a month to avoid bacteria growth, bad smells and residue.
Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 and 140 degrees. Bacteria will not multiply but may start to die between 140 and 165 degrees. Bacteria will die at temperatures above 212 degrees. 2.3: How to Take Food Temperatures Know how to get an accurate reading with your thermometer!
Consider soaking clothes in a solution containing quaternary ammonium before washing them. Choose the warmest available water setting. The WHO recommends water temperatures between 60–90°C (140–194°F).
If you're in a high-risk setting, such as a hospital, you'll want to wash your clothes as soon as you get home. Ideally, use a detergent that contains bleach, just to be on the safe side. Choose a high temperature (60 degrees or above) and a full-length cycle.
However, Staphylococcus aureus (also known as MRSA) has the potential to live in washing machines, as well as other parts of the home. It can cause impetigo (a highly contagious bacterial skin infection) and other types of rashes and is antibiotic resistant, Tetro points out.
According to a 2000 study by the Good Housekeeping Institute, both baking soda and vinegar work as a disinfectant. Vinegar and baking soda can kill 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold and 80 percent of infectious viruses when used on laundry.
However, 140° Fahrenheit or higher is required to disinfect your clothing, says to Ryan Sinclair, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor of environmental microbiology at Loma Linda University. Many dryers do not reach this temperature and only get up to about 135° Fahrenheit.
Adults may continue to shower, exercising caution to ensure no water is swallowed. Sponge baths are recommended for children. If possible, use a clean supply of water for bathing children. After bathing, wash hands with boiled or bottled water.
Sanitize cycles on washing machines or dryers are designed to help fight against particular common household bacterias by using an extra-hot wash or dry cycle. If your machine doesn't have a designated cycle, use the warmest temperature setting available to optimize cleaning performance.
Fill the scoop to the top once (134.7g) and add to one gallon of water. Immerse laundry for 15 minutes for bacteria* and viruses†, or 30 minutes for fungi prior to starting the wash cycle.
Borax is effective to kill germs, bacteria and other organisms. It is a disinfectant, biocide, insecticide, pesticide, herbicide and fungicide. Just one more reason to add it to a load of laundry. We know how tough tomato, mustard, grease and oil stains in clothing and towels can be.
Sodium tetraborate has a high alkaline level (pH level of around 9.13) and when diluted in hot water it reaches a pH level of 8, giving it the perfect acidity level for cleaning. This means it works as a bleaching agent killing any bacteria, or fungus growths, and removing stains.