Reusable cleaning cloths

[Spoonsmum]

Hey :)
So I’ve recently bought some reusable cleaning cloths, a few microfibre ones for general cleaning and some sponges for washing dishes. I’m a bit of a germaphobe (ok a massive one actually) and I’m paranoid that reusing cloths is not hygienic. I was getting worried about keeping using disposable ones and just chucking them away but now I’m more worried that I’m just spreading germs around more. I’ve been washing them in the machine, seperate from clothes on a 60 wash but it’s nagging away at me that it won’t actually get rid of the germs. Seriously tempted to go back to throwaway cloths which I know is terrible but that’s just my brain worrying me I guess. Any thoughts?

What about laundry disinfectant? I used to use Napisan but haven't bought it for years. I now have a bottle labelled laundry disinfectant that you add to the softener drawer (though I add it to the main wash).

I think the main thing is to dry any cloths that are waiting for the wash. If they sit around wet, then bacteria will breed on them and they go smelly.

I don't put mine in the wash I leave them to soak in scalding hot water, a capful of bleach and some washing liquid. If they smell you can add vinegar or lemon juice to the water too.

I let mine dry over the tap. I use probably one per day in the kitchen or every 2 days maximum.
They are not in contact with raw meat so I do not worry about them tbh.

I wash them at 60 with other washing.

If they have just missed a hot wash I let them dry off and keep them for the next wash.

We are all healthy.

I think you just need to get your head round it.
Do you trust your washing machine clean other things effectively? Sweaty clothes, under wear etc?

Have you noticed more illness since you stopped the disposable cloths?

Are you using the same cleaning products?

Presumably you trust your cleaning methods kill germs so surely any germs on the cloths will also be killed.

If you’re really bothered you could go old-school and boil them up in an old pan with some washing powder.

Oh and I have a couple of durable dish brushes that go in the dishwasher.

I have heard that slightly damp kitchen sponges can be zapped in the microwave for cleaning however I have never bothered!.

I leave them to soak in scalding hot water, a capful of bleach and some washing liquid.
Hot water renders the active ingredients in bleach ineffective. Although my Mum refuses to believe me!

I would not want to breathe in the after affects of scalded bleach either.

Yes I heard that about bleach as well but something in my head says cold water can’t possibly work! I think I am being a bit ott to be honest. My nan used to boil things up in a saucepan 😊 including her undies haha
I’m just trying to be a bit less wasteful, when my germ anxiety kicks up I can go crazy with throwing things away, I’m just trying to be a bit more normal and sensible :)

My gran boiled cotton to make it white.

It was one upmanship!

I just try to remember that we need some germs. Most of them are not going to hurt us and in fact being too clean is linked with problems.

@Badwifey you should not mix bleach with vinegar. It creates chlorine gas. In fact you should never mix bleach with anything other than a bit of washing up liquid because if the risk of creating chlorine gas.

I use cotton dishcloths lots. Red and blue edged, red one for kitchen, blue one for bathroom.

Wash at 60 with towels, with Ace laundry bleach and the Dettol stuff in the conditioner.

Change cloths, particularly in kitchen daily. All nice and clean. Sorted.

I don't use microfibre cloths because they release fibres into the water supply, but I do use cotton cloths for everything. I use new for washing up and then when they get tatty/stained, I use them for cleaning. End of life, they get used for car washing or cleaning up after decorating.

I wash them with tea towels and 'not quite white' clothes. I use bio washing powder with a scoop of soda crystals on 60 deg. I throw cloths into the wash every use apart from in the kitchen where they might get used again that day.

Oh I didn't know that. Been using hot water and bleach for years! Also didn't know about the gas. Thanks for the tip.