When to add laundry sanitizer?

Author: Fletcher Gusikowski I  |  Last update: Saturday, October 11, 2025

When you have a lot of smelly laundry, deal with it all at once. Add Clorox® Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse cycle to kill 99.9% of odor causing bacteria.

Do you use laundry sanitizer before or after detergent?

If you add it with detergent or softener, it will neutralize the sanitizer. It is designed to be used on clothes that are already cleaned. So, it needs to go into the final rinse.

How do you add laundry sanitizer to the wash cycle?

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.

What happens if you mix laundry sanitizer 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.

Can I put laundry sanitizer in the drum?

Pour the recommended amount of Lysol Laundry Sanitizer into the designated compartment in your washing machine, or directly into the drum if your machine doesn't have a specific compartment.

How and Where to Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

What compartment does laundry sanitizer go in?

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.

Do laundry sanitizers really work?

Regular washing with laundry detergent will remove some germs and bacteria, but to "sanitize" laundry means to use high temperatures or chemicals to kill 99.9 percent of germs, like OxiClean Laundry and Home Sanitizer, which also works as a great mold remover.

Does laundry sanitizer replace detergent?

Manufacturers heavily market laundry sanitizer as essential in keeping laundry clean and safe, and many people buy it without question. But the truth is, it may not be necessary. Good laundry detergent is usually enough to ensure laundry comes out of the washing machine clean and safe for wear or use.

Can you mix laundry sanitizer with fabric conditioner?

In all cases, rinse your eyes with water for several minutes and call a doctor if irritation occurs after this point. Can Laundry Cleanser be used in conjunction with fabric softener? Laundry Cleanser should be used instead of fabric softener; place it in the compartment normally reserved for the latter.

Is laundry sanitizer better than bleach?

There is less bacteria in the laundry after washing with the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. It seems that the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer works better when it has more TIME with the laundry and possibly in the warmer water (since rinse cycles are usually cold). It still doesn't compare to chlorine bleach.

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 the sanitize cycle on my washing machine?

When should I use sanitize cycles? The simple answer is that you should use sanitize cycles when you are washing items that might carry extra bacteria, such as towels, workout clothing or bedding.

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 do you add sanitizer to laundry?

Add 2 capfuls each filled to line 2 of the dosing cup to the fabric softener compartment or directly to your rinse cycle wash. To sanitize: Add to rinse cycle and leave product in rinse cycle for 16 minutes.

What is the correct order for washing and sanitizing?

Final answer: The correct order of steps for cleaning and sanitizing utensils by hand is to scrape away leftover food, clean with soap, rinse, sanitize, and air-dry.

Is it better to put laundry detergent in first or last?

If using detergent pods, detergent sheets, color-safe bleach or fabric softener crystals, add them directly to the tub before loading clothes. Do not put in the dispenser or on top of clothes. Use designated dispensers when adding liquid chlorine bleach and fabric softener.

When should I add laundry sanitizer?

Add two capfuls to the fabric softener compartment at the start of laundry cycle. If machine does not have a fabric softener dispenser, wait until rinse cycle and add directly to drum of machine.

When should you not use fabric conditioner?

You should also skip the fabric softener when washing baby clothes or if you have sensitive skin to increase cleanliness, reduce irritation, and safeguard skin health. The same goes for flame-resistant items. Fabric softener can add a waxy coating that makes flame-resistant garments flammable.

What laundry detergent kills MRSA?

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

Is borax a laundry sanitizer?

Borax is a great accompaniment to your regular detergent when looking to disinfect your laundry naturally. Set your wash cycle to warm before you add half a cup of Borax in. The warm water activates the cleaning process and helps the Borax dissolve and evenly cover all laundry.

What is the best laundry sanitizer for smell?

For our best overall, we were most impressed with Lysol Disinfectant Laundry Sanitizer. During testing, we loved how it deodorizes garments and sanitizes them, too. Plus, the crisp linen scent lingers on your clothes post-wash, which is a bonus.

Is vinegar a sanitizer for laundry?

Does vinegar disinfect laundry? Vinegar is not an effective disinfectant. It only works on a few strains of bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella.

Is OxiClean a laundry sanitizer?

OxiClean Laundry & Home Sanitizer for Laundry, Kitchen, Bath, Carpet & Upholstery, 2.5 Lbs.

What is the best homemade laundry sanitizer?

Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle when you want to sanitize a load of laundry. The white vinegar kills bacteria, deodorizes your laundry, softens fabrics, and even helps maintain bright colors. Who knew vinegar might be the ultimate eco-friendly clothes detergent?

Does laundry sanitizer make clothes smell good?

Washing with detergent alone can leave behind odor causing bacteria that makes clothing smell. Fabric sanitizers make up the difference, removing odor causing bacteria and not just covering odors up.

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