killing germs at 60c

[andyr12345]

Hello Andy for years we have had a ritual of washing (cotton)things like underwear, towels and teatowels and socks even if they are not heavily soiled at 60c just because I read that germs and bacteria can survive temperatures under 60c. But after washing, I personally prefer towels and underwear dried in the tumble drier rather than on the line because they come out nice and soft. But (and I cannot remember how hot a tumber drier get on heat2 ) but is it likely that a Tumble drier gets well over 60c inside its drum when drying clothes? - if this is the case do you think I could lower the temp of the washing machine to say 40c or 30c and that the germs and bacteria will get killed when they are tumble dried at high heat? - whats your view? 

I know you can get these 'liquid additives' to soap powder these days that claim to kill germs right down to 30c but i dont really want to go down that road . The tablets we use are Biological tablets and put 2 into the soap drawer on 60c wash if this has any bearing on things. 

 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello Andy. If you were going to always tumble dry then yes I think the cottons drying cycle would also kill any bacteria. Also even hanging laundry on the washing line in the sun can do the same apparently. However, using wash cycles at 60 degrees helps to keep the washing machine itself clear of slime and bacteria which can build up and ruin a washing machine. 

[JetSystem]

I wash all our bedding, towels and white clothes on 60 degrees and everything else on 40. 60 degrees is totally fine for most laundry hygiene standards. Plus, lets not forget that bio and non bio powders contain oxy bleach which will also help with hygiene. So a combination of appropriate cycles, temperatures and appropriate detergents is all you need.