There are some laundry detergents available that boast about their germ-killing prowess. If the item is already dry, about 30 minutes in the sun (on each side) is enough to kill surface bacteria. Keep in mind that regular or extended time in the sun can cause fading. See our guide How to Clean with UV Light for more information. If you can’t hang your laundry in the sun, there are UV wands you can get for sanitizing. Sunlight is extremely sanitizing, so if you can line dry your laundry in the sun, that will give it an extra disinfecting boost.Also, use caution with this if you have cats as pine oil is toxic to them. Running a second rinse cycle can help to remove any remaining residue. Keep in mind that the pine odor may remain after washing, and it also can be very allergenic. Add one cup of a pine oil product to the wash, such as Pine Sol or Olde Tyme Super Pine Cleaner. The greater the amount of pine oil in a product, the better it will clean. Pine oil is very effective at disinfecting.Use an oxygen laundry detergent, such as OxiClean, to help disinfect your clothes more than a regular detergent would. Oxygen bleach does disinfect, though it is not as strong of a disinfectant as chlorine bleach.It is especially effective as an antifungal, but also helps as a disinfectant. Borax can be used in addition to your regular detergent.Be sure to spot test the peroxide first though as it can have a bleaching effect on some fabrics. To use hydrogen peroxide, add 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the wash.It is also an effective fabric softener, and helps to keep colors bright. This is very effective for killing bacteria, and will also help to deodorize laundry (which is a good sign that odor-causing bacteria has been killed). To use white vinegar, add 1 cup of it to the rinse cycle.If you want to give your laundry an extra cleansing boost or if you just need items in a pinch that you already have at home, use one or more of these tips. Using Household ItemsĪlthough the products listed below are not EPA registered disinfectants, they do help to disinfect. If you have a specific illness or are disinfecting after a flood, contact the CDC for specific information you may need. However, these methods are for general disinfecting purposes. Here is some information to help you clean your colored clothes or other items more effectively when needed without the use of chlorine bleach. Laundry and other linens can harbor bacteria that can cause an illness to return or spread. Is there any way to kill these pathogens on dark clothing that cannot be bleached nor washed in hot water? ![]() The spores from harmful pathogens are on my clothing after work. Pam asked: How can I wash dark clothing and still kill pathogens? I work in a hospital where I must wear a dark blue lab coat and dark pants.
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