How to Disinfect Laundry Without Bleach

Bleach is of course the most common disinfectant used in households, but there are several other options available. Here are additional methods that will kill germs, bacteria and pathogens and keep your laundry fresh and sanitized.

You Will Need:

• 3% Hydrogen peroxide
• Vinegar
• Pine Sol
• Measuring cup
• Washing machine

Steps to Disinfect the Laundry:

1. Begin by filling the washing machine with warm to hot water. As it is filling, pour in one cup of hydrogen peroxide, pine sol or white vinegar. Be sure to spot test the peroxide first as it can have a bleaching effect on some fabrics.
2. Wash using the longest wash cycle available.
3. Rinse and dry as normal.

You Will Need:

• Grapefruit Seed Oil or Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), or Tea Tree Oil
• Measuring spoon
• Washing machine

Steps to Disinfect the Laundry:

Grapefruit seed extract is a lesser known disinfectant that is used in homes and hospitals to kill bacteria and germs. It has been found effective in killing Staph, Strep and MRSAs. It can be purchased online or at specialty stores.

Tea tree oil is also effective in disinfecting, but check the labels carefully. Be sure the product you purchase is a high quality, 100% tea tree oil, not a bargain mixture.

1. Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of GSE or 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to each load of laundry.
2. Wash and dry the clothes using normal cycles.

• Because fabrics will react differently to these disinfecting methods, it is important to test a small area of the garment first to ensure there is no damage to the color or to the fabric itself.
• Though we feel best when we’re adding a disinfectant to our laundry cycles, many times the washing and drying process itself kills the germs that are present. Using warm to hot water and drying on a warm to hot heat cycle will kill germs that are present on fabric.
• Shaklee Basic-G is a germicide that some have found useful for disinfecting clothing. It only takes ½ ounce per gallon of water and is safe for the environment.
• If you are concerned about the colorfastness of your clothing, wash them first with ½ – 1 cup of white vinegar. This helps to set the color and prevent clothes from fading.
• Pine Sol is a well known cleaning product, but there are many pine oil products available including Fyne Pyne, White Cap and King Pine. All of these will remove germs and kill bacteria.