Can You Use Disinfectant In The Washing Machine? (read this first)

The short answer is yes, you can use disinfectant in the washing machine to remove germs and bacteria. This will help prevent your washing machine smelling musty or mouldy. As well as ensuring your clothes are clean and germ free.

Now you know that you can use disinfectant in the washing machine, keep reading to find out exactly how to use it.

How To Use Disinfectant In The Washing Machine To Remove Bad Smells

If your washing machine smells bad, you can often notice it as soon as you enter the room the appliance is in. A smelly washing machine is usually caused by a combination of mildew, mould and bacteria in your appliance.

Disinfecting The Interior Of Your Washing Machine

To clean and disinfect the inside of your washing machine, all you need to do is add 2 capfuls of disinfectant to the drum of your machine and run a hot service wash (making sure there are no clothes in the drum).

Disinfecting The Exterior Of Your Washing Machine

To clean your washing machine and remove any germs, bacteria, mould or mildew, all you need is 1 capful of disinfectant diluted into 1 cupful of warm water. Then, using a cloth dipped in this solution, wipe the exterior of your appliance to remove any dirt, germs, bacteria or mould and mildew spores.

What Disinfectant Should You Use In The Washing Machine?

There are several types of disinfectant that can be used in the washing machine to remove germs and bacteria. You could use;

• Chlorine Bleach
• Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner
• Zoflora Disinfectant
• Supermarket Own Brand Disinfectant

Using Chlorine Bleach To Clean The Washing Machine

Chlorine bleach or household bleach, is a powerful disinfectant but can also be dangerous if used incorrectly. It is typically made from a solution of 3 to 6 % sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, calcium hypochlorite and water.

It is an irritant that can cause problems if it comes into contact with the skin or the eyes. It can also cause problems if ingested by swallowing or even breathing in the fumes. If you decide to use chlorine bleach to clean and disinfect your washing machine, you should take adequate precautions like wearing gloves etc. 

You should also ensure all traces of the bleach are removed after cleaning the appliance as it could damage the rubber hoses and door seal if any remains in the appliance.

You should add ½ a cup of chlorine bleach to the detergent drawer before running an empty (no laundry) hot, service wash. This will remove all germs and bacteria.

SEE ALSO: Can You Use Household Bleach On Your Laundry?

Using Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner To Clean The Washing Machine

You should pour 250ml of Dettol washing machine cleaner into the detergent drawer and run a hot (60 C), service wash with no laundry. Dettol recommends that you repeat this every 2 months to keep your washing machine germ and bacteria free.

Using Zoflora Disinfectant To Clean The Washing Machine

To disinfect and clean your washing machine just pour 2 capfuls of Zoflora into the machine and run a hot service wash (with no laundry). Washing machine manufacturers recommend a monthly service wash to keep their machines clean and adding disinfectant removes germs and bacteria leaving your washing machine clean and fresh and ready for your next wash load.

SEE ALSO: Can You Put Zoflora In A Washing Machine?

Using Supermarket Own Brand Disinfectant To Clean The Washing Machine

You can use any type of generic disinfectant to clean your washing machine. All you need to do is add 2 capfuls to the washing machine and run an empty hot service wash.

This will work in exactly the same way as any of the above, but cost less to buy from your local supermarket. Both Tesco and Asda have their own make disinfectant that costs around £1.50 that you can use.

How To Use Disinfectant To Disinfect Your Clothes

It’s not just your washing machine that will benefit from the use of disinfectant, it’s also your clothes. We all pick up dirt, grime as well as germs and bacteria every day as we go about our daily lives.

Sometimes, washing our clothes on a normal wash isn’t enough to remove all of the germs and bacteria. You can use disinfectant to ensure your clothes are properly clean and bacteria free.

However, you will need to check the wash care label first and exercise some caution. Not all clothes can withstand some of the harsher disinfectants like chlorine bleach for example.

Chlorine bleach should only be used on white garments and those made from strong materials that are robust enough to cope with bleach. 

Coloured items and those made from more delicate materials should be washed using oxygen bleach which is milder and less likely to harm your clothes.

Or you could use an antibacterial laundry sanitiser, there are plenty available in the UK. Some of the more popular include;

Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser

This product will kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria at 20 C which makes it ideal when washing clothes at lower temperatures. Simply add 2 capfuls to the fabric softener dispenser in every wash.

BritishBasics – Antibacterial Laundry Sanitiser Cleanser Liquid Additive

This product kills 99.9% of all germs and bacteria at 30 C and comes in a larger container for better value. Simply add 100ml to the fabric softener dispenser and use alongside your regular detergent.

McKLords Laundry Sanitiser

This product also kills 99.9% of all germs and bacteria at 30 C and can be used for all of your laundry. Just add 100ml to the fabric softener dispenser and use alongside your regular detergent.

Distilled White Vinegar

If you prefer to use natural products, white vinegar can also be used to disinfect your laundry. Simply add about ½ a cupful of white vinegar to the fabric dispenser compartment and wash your clothes using your regular detergent and usual programme.

SEE ALSO: How To Use White Vinegar In The Washing Machine

Is It OK To Use Disinfectant In The Washing Machine?

It is definitely OK to use disinfectant in the washing machine and there are even some disinfectant companies that actually make products specifically designed for this purpose. 

As we are all exposed to many types of germs and bacteria every day, it’s a good idea to ensure our clothes and washing machine remain germ free for as long as possible.

You can use disinfectant alongside your regular detergent without any worries about watering down the effectiveness of either product.

Frequently Asked Questions