3 Ways to Disinfect Laundry Without Bleach

Clothing and other linens can harbor nasties that aren’t only gross, but can also promote illness. When it comes to disinfecting, bleach is often the first port of call for many of us. But when it comes to laundry - what about those dark colors or delicate fabrics that can’t be disinfected with bleach?

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Fear not. Below we share 3 ways to disinfect laundry without using bleach:

1. Use household products

If you want to power up your laundry cleansing next wash cycle, chances are you already have the tools in your home! Although the household products we list below are not EPA registered as disinfectants, they have been proven to help disinfect:

White vinegar

Adding 1 cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle can be very effective for disinfecting laundry. Not only does white vinegar help to disinfect, it also deodorizes laundry, works as an effective fabric softener and keeps colors looking their most vibrant. It’s important to use only white vinegar and not other kinds of vinegar, for example, apple cider or wine vinegar. As their PT is not as strong as the white vinegar variety, they may stain your laundry.

Hydrogen peroxide

Adding 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your wash cycle can help with the effective disinfecting of your laundry. When dealing with peroxides, it’s super important to do a spot test first. Hydrogen peroxide can have a similar effect as bleach on some materials.

Pine oil

Pine oil is a strong disinfectant. Generally, the more pine oil in a product, the better its ability to clean. Adding a cup of pine oil to your wash cycle to your wash can help to disinfect your laundry. It pays to note though, that pine oil has a strong scent that can linger on laundry after washing and can be allergenic. It shouldn’t be used on wool or silks. Pine oil is toxic to cats, so ensure you keep it away from any feline friends in your home too!

2. Dry your laundry in the sun

Sunlight is one of nature’s best tools for disinfecting! Plus, it’s free (when it’s around). Line drying, while it can be harsh on your clothes in terms of fading, is also harsh on nasties! Hanging your laundry in the sun to dry, even for just 30 minutes, can be enough to help with surface disinfecting of your laundry when bleach is not an option. Be mindful of not leaving your laundry on the line for too long to avoid unnecessary damage.

3. Use (effective) laundry products

Some laundry products are more effective at disinfecting your clothes and keeping your washing machine clean than others. The types of products mentioned below may be helpful:

EPA registered disinfectant detergents

There are many types of laundry detergents available. Many of them have their specific areas of specialization, from softness to scent to cleaning abilities. If you want your laundry as clean as possible, you may consider choosing a laundry detergent that is an EPA registered disinfectant.

Washing machine cleaners

When it comes to producing the cleanest, freshest laundry - you need the cleanest, freshest washing machine. Washing machines accumulate a lot of slimy, stinky build-up of grime and gunk. Using a washing machine deep cleaning tablet like Wash Warrior’s can help you keep a clean and fresh-smelling washing machine with minimum fuss!

Happy Washing!

The Wash Warrior Team