How to Sterilize Laundry

Sterilization of laundry ensures that 99.9 percent of fungus, bacteria or viruses are eradicated from laundry items. While other methods of sterilization exist such as filtration, irradiation and high pressure, the best way to sterilize laundry is with hot water and/or with laundry bleach. And while a hot water wash using a standard washing machine will likely kill many of the bacteria you are worried about, the best way to be assured you have eliminated the majority of these items is to soak laundry in either liquid bleach or in boiling water. Both have long been accepted as sterilization agents.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid bleach
• Water
• Bucket or pot
• Stovetop

Using Bleach to Sterilize Laundry

1. Fill the bucket with hot water.

2. Add one part bleach to five parts water.

3. Allow the laundry to soak in water/bleach mixture for 20 minutes.

4. Drain the water.

5. Rinse your laundry item in cold water.

Using Hot Water to Sterilize Laundry

6. Fill your largest kitchen pot with water.

7. Set the pot on the stovetop. Turn the temperature to the highest setting.

8. Wait until the water begins to boil.

9. Add the laundry item to the pot.

10. Allow the laundry to soak in boiling water for at least 10 minutes.

11. Drain the water. Rinse the laundry in cold water.

Tips & Warnings

• Unless you are certain you need to fully sterilize your laundry, save money by washing with warm or cold water. Washing in cold water can save a family of four more than $120 a year and still provide everyone with clean clothes.
• While bleach is a great sterilization agent, it will also remove color from clothing. Unless your laundry item is white or you don't mind ruining the color, opt for the boiling water option in order to sterilize.

References

• Sanitary entomology

Resources

• Samsung Washing Machine Reviews