With the current pandemic, many of us are in awe of the germs we encounter throughout the day. Such germs are everywhere; in the subway, bus, taxi, doors we open chairs we sit on, and walls we lean on. We have adapted to hand sanitizing so far, but you will require a lot of sanitizers to do the same for clothes. That would be both expensive and time-consuming.
In the long run, there is only one way out, and that is to remove your clothes and wash them. However, a simple wash will not suffice. Regular disinfectants have been harsh and have adverse effects on our skin. This article is solely dedicated to showing you useful information on disinfecting your laundry that is easily accessible and not harmful to your skin.
These ways include using;
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- UV rays/sunlight
- Essential oils
- Dryer machine
- Hot water
- Baking soda
- Lemon
White vinegar
We all cannot miss a bottle of vinegar in our kitchen. Vinegar is especially effective on white fabrics and works well for colored clothes. White vinegar contains acetic acid that kills bacteria and causes other viruses to wash off easily.
Add half a cup of white vinegar to every batch of laundry for effective results. The vinegar will disinfect and soften and give a good smell to your laundry.
Hydrogen peroxide
We’re all accustomed to hydrogen peroxide disinfecting wounds; well, it works well with clothes too. Now don’t rush to do the laundry yet. Understand that this chemical can burn, bleach, or dye your clothes directly if added to the pile. Therefore, add the peroxide after all the clothes are fully submerged in water to avoid that.
Using UV rays/sunlight
Sunlight is the most natural way to kill bacteria. Airing your clothes out to dry after a wash or bedding that is hard to wash daily goes a long way in killing surface bacteria. Freshly cleaned clothes only need a few hours in the sun, but bedding like mattresses or blankets should be left to properly absorb the heat and taken back into the house while still hot and folded with the heat.
Essential oils
These are natural oils that have plenty of pathogen fighting properties while at the same time adding a pleasant smell to your laundry. They contain antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties, which help prevent the spread and growth of some bacteria. A little essential oil can disinfect a whole load of laundry. These oils include lavender, tea tree, thyme, and pine oil.
Hot water
Using hot water for sanitization is another natural way to kill bacteria. Hot water is more effective than cold water. Soaking your clothes and hot water, then later washing them under high temperatures increases the sanitizing effect by 80%, and as a result, germs quickly come out during the wash.
Using the dryer
Most dryers have a feature for disinfecting cycle that runs much longer than the regular machine and uses the highest temperature possible. After a good wash, put your laundry in the dryer and run them for 45 minutes for best results.
Using baking soda
Baking soda is excellent because it gets to places other detergents cannot and isn’t harmful to your skin. Baking soda is also suitable for kitchen surfaces, towels, and bathroom towels. It cleans well into the fabric and softens the clothes.
Using lemon
Lemon has been used in many cleaning DIYs as an agent because it contains powerful antibacterial properties that work well in killing bacteria. It also has a good smell and acts as a deodorant. The citric acid in the lemons breaks down stains that stick to fabric and is safe for colored clothes. Lemon also goes a long way in disinfecting kitchen surfaces and towels and unclogging pipes when mixed with hot water. Lemon is very thorough and has many uses, including medicinal.
In conclusion, to ensure maximum sanitization, disinfect laundry baskets, washing machines and avoid shaking dirty laundry everywhere in the house. Underwear contains a lot of germs and should not mix with other clothes and be washed daily. You should also wash children’s clothing and towels separately from adult laundry. If someone in your home is suffering from diarrhea or flu, wash their laundry separately. Finally, always wash your hands whenever you touch dirty laundry to avoid transferring the bacteria
