Does tumble drying kill germs?

[IlIlI]

We are told to wash at 60 or 90 to kill germs. Stuff in the dryer seems so hot when you get it out, is that not a similar temperature to a boil wash?
So could you just do a normal 40 wash and then put things in the dryer to kill germs?

Why are you worried about germs?

What kind of germs are you trying to kill?

Yes

I’ve never washed anything at 60 degrees or higher!

What are these germs you speak of?

Do you work in a laboratory where you are exposed to deadly diseases and viruses?

Arw you confusing the word germs with dirt?

My tumble dryer temperature is around 60 degrees on high and 45 on low so yes, that should kill bacteria I think.

Which germs?
I've never heard of people getting ill because they didn't wash/dry their every day clothes hot enough.

Newsflash - you have millions of germs living in and on your body. Germy clothing is not something I ever give headspace to.

I've never washed anything higher than 40. If we survived thousands of years without even changing our clothes I'm sure we'll be just fine. Killing every bacteria and virus in your house won't do your immune system any good.

I think the only situation I'd consider boil washing things is for wearing after an operation, if I worked somewhere I may have been contaminated (but surely that's already covered with other processes) or with an ill preemie.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

It will kill most germs yes but not all …some thrive in hot temps.

Tumble drying = warm, damp conditions. Ideal for growing bacteria.

And yes what @HeraldicBlazoning said!! They are all over you, in the air, in the water etc etc…there literally no getting away.

Not dirt, that can even come out on a cool wash sometimes. Bacteria, viruses etc... Germy stuff! I think it's quite common to wash bedding and towels on a hot wash, maybe not clothes so much, but not sure why it's confusing?

What germs are you trying to kill? I only wash bedding and towels at 60⁰C and that's more about getting rid of body fats than killing germs.

I wash at mainly 40⁰C and dont tumble dry (don't own a dryer) so I must be riddled with germs

And thank you all for the yr1 science lesson. I had no idea they were all around 🙄
Next you'll be telling me some crazy conspiracy like good bacteria exists!

recommended for scabies treatment

If I’ve got anything I’m worried about (eg if the kids have had a sickness bug) I’ll wash at 60 but otherwise everything goes in at 40, I’d never considered the heat in tumble drying tbh.

I wash most things at 40 degrees and tumble dry sheets and towels on high. Better than using chemical disinfectant in the washing machine...

they steam clean in charity shops, is that the same idea?

@IlIlI the answer was yes you will kill most …no need to be rude. I was merely telling you that you can kill them but as you wear it it will be covered again. You haven’t said the reason you are asking? Is there something in particular you are worried about?

Your clothes, bedding and towels don't need to be sterile. Clean is fine.

It's recommended for killing off things like bed bugs or threadworm eggs if you have either of those things going on. In general a good wash will get rid of most bacteria, it must do or we'd all walk around stinking and being unwell.

Are you worried about germs for some reason? I'm wondering if you have a new baby or vulnerable member of the family who you are trying to keep safe? Or does someone in your house have a particularly unsavoury job?

I think so. I imagine that will also get rid of any potential bugs (I've heard of people bringing bed bugs home from hotels, so imagine all the fabric in a charity shop!)

Dryer probably likely to do the same as a steamer. Probably does work then, great!

I think those steamers ( like mini wardrobes you hang things in) claim to kill germs.
😐

we had to use a tumble dryer when we had a scabies outbreak