Does Washing Machine Eliminate Germs & Bacteria On My Clothes?

Does Washing Machine Eliminate Germs & Bacteria On My Clothes? That is a question that is sometimes asked by many. The answer to the question is no, it does not eliminate them. However, washing machines can help in eliminating germs and bacteria on our clothes if we use the correct detergent provided for specific load size and wash type.

As much as it’s important to know how much soap should be used to cleanse the clothes properly, individuals should also understand which types of material their clothes are made from to choose the best detergent.

Does Washing Machine Eliminate Germs & Bacteria On My Clothes?

1. Use warm water

The washing machine uses hot water to get rid of germs and bacteria. This is the main reason that your clothes are clean, bright and smell good. When you start the washing machine make sure the temperature of the water is very high (more than 30°C ).

You can check this on your machine manual or visit the nearest home appliances dealer for proper settings according to the model of your washing machine.

2. Add salt with detergent

Like the hotness of water, salt kills all microorganisms effectively on your clothes. Salt doesn’t affect colors at all while used in laundry. It helps to avoid bad smells caused by bacteria. If possible add half a cup of salt into the washing machine while you are adding detergent. Note: For best results, use salt with every wash.

3. Add baking soda

If you want to kill 99% of bacteria & germs on your clothes then add half a cup of baking soda to the washing machine. Baking soda is alkaline and it helps to remove odor from clothes better than any other deodorizing product. Always keep in mind that do not mix vinegar with washing powder, bleach, or fabric softener as it becomes useless after mixing all these products.

Also, don’t forget to check the ingredients if some mildew removing agent has been added into them before finalizing them for usage.

4. Use white vinegar instead of fabric conditioner

Adding vinegar will help you to avoid bad smells by bacteria. This is very helpful when you are washing clothes using the machine. Soak dirty clothes for 20 minutes in white vinegar before washing. You can also add vinegar during the wash cycle to get rid of germs & bacterias on your clothes.

5. Clean washer drum regularly

Your washing machine is also a main source of bacteria on your clothes so clean it regularly with the help of a soft cloth. If possible try not to use powder or liquid soap as it will be difficult to remove its effect after some time. Use baking soda instead of these soaps and use hot water if possible while cleaning the drum.

Also, make sure that no bad smell comes from inside the washer, if there’s any problem then it’s better to check the hose pipe coming out from the washer and its connection to the drain and garbage container.

6. Clean washer’s filter regularly

Cleaning the filter of the washing machine is also needed as there are many bacterias and germs exist on clothes that go into the machine. You can do it yourself or take help from the nearest home appliances dealer for proper cleaning of filters as per your machine model like hot water, soap powder, etc. Note: For best results, clean the filter after every 3-4 wash cycles.

7. Don’t forget to dry your clothes properly

Proper drying is a very important part of laundry. It will remove excess moisture from clothing which helps to reduce unwanted smells caused by bacteria and reduces chances of getting mildew odor on clothes later on. If you use a tumble dryer then dry your clothes well as soon as possible. It will help you to get rid of odor and bacteria on your clothes.

8. Use proper detergent for washing machine

Using the right amount of detergent is needed by every user as little or excess use of detergents will affect the performance and efficiency of the washer. Always check the label before buying any detergent which has been mentioned that suitable for “automatically”.

This is very helpful in saving money and time because using the wrong types of detergents may produce extra foam and a bad smell from dirty clothes after wash etc…

9. Check safety factor settings

Every person should consider safety factor settings while working with machines like a safety valve, heating circuit, overloading, high voltage, etc. You should know when to use these settings to get the best result. Consult with a local dealer or user manual for more information about safety factors in your washer model.

10. Always use clean water

Always make sure that you are using clean water for a washing machine as the germs and bacteria on clothes can be washed away using fresh water. It will eliminate odor from clothes, also try to use hot water if possible as it helps to remove stains faster than cold or lukewarm water.

Common Questions

1. How often should you clean your washing machine?

You should clean your washing machine after every 2-3 weeks or at least once a month.

2. How do you prevent the bad smell from clothes?

To get rid of bad odor from clothes, use vinegar during the wash cycle and dry clothes immediately after wash. You can also add a little fabric softener during the final rinse cycle to avoid bad smells on laundry items. Make sure that there’s no dust mite building up inside the washer as it will help you to get rid of germs & bacteria on clothes over time.

3. How do you get rid of mildew odor on clothes?

You can use citrus peels inside the washer drum to kill mildew and other odor-causing germs & bacteria. Also, clean the filter regularly according to the washing machine model. You can also consider using white vinegar during the final rinse cycle or add baking soda with detergent powder while cleaning clothes.

Does Washing Machine Eliminate Germs & Bacteria On My Clothes? –Conclusion

So, does the washing machine eliminate germs & bacteria on my clothes? You have to use a proper method to get rid of germs and bacteria from your clothes by using hot water, vinegar, baking soda & detergent powder, etc.

Also, make sure that the washing machine is clean from inside after every 3-4 wash cycles. This will help you to remove germs & bacteria from laundry items as well as reduce bad smells on clothes over time.

We hope you enjoyed the article. If you require any disinfection services for your office, home or hotel, feel free to contact us and we will be here to assist you!