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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Alternatives to buying laundry sanitiser

76 replies

Frangipanini · 06/04/2020 11:03

I have been buying and using Dettol antibacterial laundry sanitiser and been adding it to my washes. However, it really doesn't last very long and is £4.50 a bottle. I would like to add something to my wash to rid ourselves of any germs. It is all mainly sweat pants, jeans, T shirts and running gear so no delicates.

Any alternatives I can use to add to the wash instead?

OP posts:
MrsCastiel · 06/04/2020 11:07

Wash on a higher setting? It doesn't sound like you need the Dettol with the clothes you've mentioned.

Goawayquickly · 06/04/2020 11:09

Quite honestly for normal washing, a hot wash will be fine but I have been adding a little zoflora to my hand towels and teatowel washes and wash on 60. Just makes me feel better.

ChicChicChicChiclana · 06/04/2020 11:09

You don't need it.

Jessikka · 06/04/2020 11:10

@goawayquickly please can I ask if you add the zoflora neat to the draw (where softener liquid would go)

Sorry to hijack OP - I've been wondering the same thing as I am down to my last half of a bottle

PickAChew · 06/04/2020 11:10

Ordinary powder does the job best. Detergent plus bleach.

eddiemairswife · 06/04/2020 11:11

Never heard of laundry sanitiser.

Clymene · 06/04/2020 11:12

Just wash things at 60 degrees

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 06/04/2020 11:12

Nobody needs landry sanitiser. We need to use less chemicals not more

Deux · 06/04/2020 11:12

I don’t use the sanitiser as I always thought it was a scam.

Use washing powder instead of liquids; hotter temperature; longer cycle; extra rinse; hang outside in the sun if you can.

daisypond · 06/04/2020 11:12

I’ve never heard of it either.

NiteFlights · 06/04/2020 11:12

You don’t need it OP, don’t worry. Just wash as normal.

Goawayquickly · 06/04/2020 11:13

I add it to the powder drawer, I really don’t think it’s necessary but as I say it just makes me feel a bit better, just a tiny bit of zoflora. I live with people who tend to dry their hands on tea towels or wipe up spills.

Baaaahhhhh · 06/04/2020 11:14

Don't bother and save yourself the money. It's a prime example of marketing promoting fear of "germs". Do you dettol yourself to rid of all the bacteria living on your skin?

ChristmasCarcass · 06/04/2020 11:15

You know that even theatre scrubs are not sterile? You don’t need sanitiser, just wash the clothes normally. Change your clothes more often if you are worried about contamination.

scrivette · 06/04/2020 11:16

You don't need it, although you could use dettol.

Deux · 06/04/2020 11:16

You could go old-school on things like cloths and tea towels and put them in a large pan with some powder and water and boil them up, that would be more effective than sanitiser. Use the end of a wooden spoon to prod them and turn them.

I sometimes do that with cleaning cloths if they’re stained and I find it immensely satisfying. Yes, I know it’s weird.

ghislaine · 06/04/2020 11:26

Vinegar? The smell comes out as it dries. I use own brand stuff at 50p a bottle.

MaisyMary77 · 06/04/2020 11:45

Napisan. It’s not just for nappies! All major supermarkets sell it. I’ve been using it for years.

Alternatives to buying laundry sanitiser
TerribleCustomerCervix · 06/04/2020 11:49

Don’t bother OP.

I have laundry sanitiser but only because I hate using hot wash settings. It only gets used for cleaning mop heads, bathroom cloths and if the baby has a pooplosion. I’ve been using the same bottle for at least 9 months and there’s still plenty in it.

MangoesAreMyFavourite · 06/04/2020 12:01

I buy the neat Dettol and add it diluted to the wash if I want.

It's about 4- 5 pounds for half a litres (if you can still get it) and lasts ages.

BlobbaGob · 06/04/2020 12:25

I use soda crystals

VenetoResident · 06/04/2020 12:49

Is there a particular reason your clothes are likely to have pathogens on them?

okiedokieme · 06/04/2020 13:14

Never used it, just use normal detergent- it's fine

EcoCleaner · 06/04/2020 14:03

Use washing powder on hotter cycles and not liquid. Bio and non bio powder has oxy bleach in it.

dementedpixie · 06/04/2020 16:11

I find it helps with sweaty gym kit. I use either zoflora in the fabric softener bit of the machine or morrisons own make sanitiser. I also found an ariel one in Savers and that only uses 1 capful