Alternatives to buying laundry sanitiser

[Frangipanini]

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?

This is the one I found in savers. I only use it for gym kit/football kit

Vanish powder. White or 'pink' for coloureds.
I use it for stain removal but it will probably have some antimicrobial action too if you feel your wash isn't good enough.

Its a con...just another product to get the gullible to buy !!!

Well I find it works better on smelly kit than bio powder alone

I started using laundry sanitiser too when my washing machine started smelling. I’d tried cleaning the machine with soda crystals and vinegar but I’m not sure it’s fully worked, hence bib and braces approach!

I am running out of sanitiser now though and though it was always on special in Asda every few weeks, now it’s back to £4.50 regular price so I may go for an alternative too.

Someone said you could put ordinary dettol in the drawer in a previous thread. I don’t know how much though as I don’t want to rot the seal or something if I overdo it!

I have used the Dettol one, but not regular, and I do currently have some of the Ariel version at the moment (pictured up thread). But you don't actually need it.

You'll hear it countless times, but for best "sanitation" of laundry, you need detergent powder, NOT liquid; powders contain bleach (liquids can't), along with hotter washes.

This is what is particularly being recommended at the moment with the situation we're in.

This is madness. I've used just laundry powder, fab con and a decent hot wash for decades.

You really don't need to put other stuff in the washing machine as well.

IT IS AN ADVERTISING PLOY

Don't fall for it.

I get ours from amazon subscribe and save and it works out much cheaper. I can't always get napisan, so stick it in with my reusable nappies and wipes as it means I can wash them at a lower temperature

you can use normal disinfectant liquid. instructions for laundry use are on the bottle.
the pine stuff stains but is ok for dark loads.

I agree with pp, if you wash at 40 and higher with a washing powder, that pretty much gets rid of all nasties.

Capful of lavender and orange oil dettol is what I add to the softener draw or capful of zoflora.
Napisan also good as suggested which I buy from Wilko.

Hospitals recommend that their staff clean their uniforms at 60 degrees or higher. You don't need it OP.

I also agree that powder is better than liquid. I always used powder until having DC and suddenly couldn't understand why my washing machine was gunked up and needed descaling constantly. My DM still uses powder now.

Noone needs this, we should use fewer chemicals not more.

I use cloth nappies and don’t need this. Wash properly and run a regular maintenance wash on your machine instead.

Stop killing all the good bacteria or we’ll all have more than Covid-19 to worry about!

I tend to use white vinegar for clothes with urine on them

and stop using the ultra short cycles for normal laundry.

Wilkinson's, Tesco and sometimes ALDI do their own brand version £1.99

Napisan.
The cheap dettol versions usually need about 4 capfuls putting in the wash so don’t work out much cheaper.

I use a tiny amount of Clean Linen Zoflora (if I've no laundry cleanser) on washing that I feel needs extra oomph; usually bedding, towels, tea towels, gym gear, work stuff.

Although I've been using a bit in every wash at the minute - it makes me feel better and there's been no adverse effects.

Also, I've managed to buy the Dettol laundry cleanser really cheaply in Home Bargains so definitely check there.

There are massive adverse impacts of using Zoflora actually. It kills fish and other aquatic life. It even says so on the bottle. Please stop.

I would just put a capful of disinfectant in the drawer. Less than 50p a bottle!

Just stop buying it.

There is no need to antibac your laundry. if you have things which are genuinely germ ridden then wash at 60c. And I mean like manky sports kit left festering at the bottom of a teenager's sports bag for a month, not a pair of jeans worn once. It's a massive marketing con which preys on people's fears of dirt, germs and bacteria.

i don't think you need it either but lower-cost (and presumably environmental hit as well) would be to add a few drops of tea tree oil to fabric conditioner drawer?

Zoflora £1 a bottle. A capful in the liquid in the soap section. Lasts ages and also stops your machine from smelling. But like the others say- you really dont need it.
I use it right now as I'm a key worker and want to be damn sure I dont bring anything home.

I use that on the dog bedding, Tesco do their own make which is a lot cheaper than the Dettol version, but I've not seen either in the shops for weeks and weeks. I also use it when I wash the towels and tea towels. Think I'll use Zoflora instead.

Wash on 60. Anything else is snake oil.

Totally unnecessary, just a marketing con. Like special antibacterial soap.....all soap is antibacterial!