Laundry sanitisers - worth it? Or just nonsense?

[ZeeR82]

Newbie here - apologies if this has been answered elsewhere.

In the last couple of years, I've noticed a new product on supermarket shelves called Laundry sanitiser which appears to hygienically eradicate germs, viruses and all sorts in your regular wash. I think they've come about since Covid and I wonder whether those big household brands are capitalising on people's fear of the virus, simply to make money.

However, before I knock it, I wanted to know if anyone has had experience of using these types of products and are they actually needed? or would my regular wash at 40C with normal detergent be sufficient? what benefits have you seen?

Our household consists of two adults, no kids, and one pet. None of us work in hospitals (or similar roles) and therefore not exposed to viruses or germs on a daily basis. However, I do pop to the gym 3-4 times a week (or at least I try!). I was thinking it would possibly be beneficial for sportswear, towels and bed linen - maybe?

Penny for your thoughts?

nah, just wash at a hot temperature. There was no need for these products before people decided that we could wash clothes in cold temps. in fact, I always used to wash at 40 but noticed a not very nice smell on the clothes so I now wash everything at 60 and its a lot better. You cannot clean and eradicate bacteria in cold water

Funny you should say that. I've noticed a bit of an after smell on gym kit but labels always say wash on low temp so I've bought the scented beads to enhance the smell. Gosh these companies saw me coming a mile off spending all that money!

DH’s gym stuff always smelled if washed at low temp according to the instructions, even with biological powder, so we tried using a laundry cleanser instead of fabric conditioner on them at the same temperature, and it’s eradicated the smell. So I do think it can be useful in some applications, but not needed for all laundry.

Contrary to the poster above, I wouldn't wash everything at 60 either, it will wreck most modern fabrics, particularly gym kit. In summary soap, warm water, scrubbing, will clean clothes. Bacteria grows on damp surfaces, so smell will come from washing machines not drying in between cycles, or clothes not drying quickly enough.

How do you wash yourself? Clothes only need the same. You will never eradicate 100%, nor should we aim to do so.

Heat at varying temperatures kills (denatures) some bacteria virus and fungi, soap kills others, agitated water just helps the soap to get into all the fabric crevices. Sanitisers use (I am guessing) some amount of ammonia or chlorine which also will take out some more varieties and quantities of the microbes. What you use should depend upon what level of warfare you wish to wage and upon how ‘germy’ the items are. For someone who is immune compromised, as different level of warfare would be appropriate. For items that had been dunked in slimy pond water versus something that got wet in the rain, a different method would be sensible.

Dont forget that some level of microbes in your life (if you are not immune compromised) is a good and useful thing, but too many and particularly too many in the wrong places can be a problem

Yes, I use it for school pe kits which are made of that football shirt fabric.

I don’t think cold temperatures are as effective as these companies make out! I use napisan in my wash as I find it great for stains and it’s meant to be a cleanser too!

I use it as it stops clothes smelling if they dry too slowly.

I use Dettol laundry cleanser in every wash. There seems to be socks and pants in every load, whether it's whites, dark or colours, I've been using it for years, long before covid, I use it instead of softener. I use the fresh cotton one and I like the smell, it's not overpowering like softener. I wash almost everything at 40.

Remember that at 60 the enzymes in biological powder won't work.
Detergent kills bacteria & viruses in the same way soap does (remember washing our hands along to happy birthday?). It disrupts the surface membranes.
No need for laundry sanitiser.

I use it in place of fabric conditioner on my towels which I wash at 90.

I wash almost everything at 40deg and use supermarket own-brand sanitiser. I don’t know whether it makes much difference but I like it. I have a lot of gym kit, and I like it for bedding.

I also use soap powder rather than gel pods. Again, whatever’s cheapest in supermarket.

White vinegar does same job

We used to find that bedding sometimes ponged a bit after washing at 40°C, but using Dettol laundry cleanser solves the problem.

I use it on DH's sports kit and find it smells s lot fresher but I wouldn't use it on all the normal clothes as they don't need it.

I use it for gym wear and sometimes towels. I wouldnt wash everything at 60⁰C so reserve that for towels/bedding

I use Napisan. I've noticed that it makes a difference to my laundry.

I always wash at 40 and 30 degrees and recently started buying Dettol laundry sanitiser to add to some loads instead of fabric conditioner. That's because I noticed 'aromas' clinging to teenage ds's clothes, especially sports kits, even after washing them twice.

I used to buy it when the kids were potty training- it was purely for peace of mind that anything else that had gone in with soiled toddler clothes was not going to be washed in basically poo-soup.

I have some in the cupboard that I throw in with kitchen cloths and anything that has been used for a manky, dirty job.

It’s unnecessary for a normal wash of cotton clothes.

Washing sanitizer isn't even a thing where I live. I have never seen it and we get a full range of other Dettol products.

I think we are not the target market for this type of product so it not been marketed here. But we do have full sun most days to get washing dried and rarely use a tumble drier. Perhaps this is where the difference is.

I don't understand what it does that soap and water can't though.

I use them for tops that have smelly armpits, works well
Also anything I've been swimming in the river/reservoir in (immunocompromised)

I've used one for years but only in washes like sports stuff where I think it does help with things that are continuinally getting sweaty. I add it when dh's slippers go in the wash too.

Other than that I just use a liquid or powder at 40. 60 for loads of towels.

Same as PPs, I use it for things like gym kit which need to be washed at lower temps. The sanitiser/cleanser (I have used both and not sure what the difference is) gets rid of lingering sweat smells. I buy good quality gym clothes so I don’t want to risk damaging them by washing at high temps. I also use sanitiser for period pants as those are also not supposed to be washed at too high a temperature.

I usually wash bedding and towels at 60° so don’t use the sanitiser for those.

We have an Airbnb and I wash towels used by guests with washing sanitizer. I wash everything at 30/40 so I want to be sure they are 100% clean for future guests.