What is a sanitize cycle on a washing machine?
Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Clean doesn't always mean sanitized. The sanitize cycle on your washing machine is designed to get rid of, or at least reduce, the amount of microorganisms -- such as germs and bacteria -- on clothing.
What does sanitize mean on a whirlpool dryer?
Sanitize cycles reach temperatures in excess of 140°F to kill off most nasty germs— just like dishwashers. Dryers with Sanitize cycles accomplish the same thing. But keep in mind, this intense heat can quickly wear out fabrics and shorten their lifespan.
What is a normal cycle on a washing machine?
In washers, the Normal cycle—sometimes called "Cotton"—is a kind of grab bag, a good all-around option for everyday fabrics and clothing. It uses high spin speeds to agitate fabrics more intensely than (most) other cycles.
Do sanitizing washers kill microorganisms?
In addition, standard dryers don't usually reach high enough temperatures to effectively kill these microorganisms. Sanitizing washers use steam or water to kill microorganisms that may be on your clothing or linens.
When to use sanitize setting on washer?
Clean doesn't always mean sanitized. The sanitize cycle on your washing machine is designed to get rid of, or at least reduce, the amount of microorganisms -- such as germs and bacteria -- on clothing. This cycle prevents these microorganisms from contaminating subsequent loads of laundry.
What does sanitize setting on washer mean?
The sanitize cycle on your washing machine or dryer works to eliminate 99.9% of three common household bacteria1 by using an extra-hot wash or dry cycle. If your machine doesn't have a designated cycle, use the warmest temperature setting available to optimize cleaning performance.
Do I need a sanitize cycle on washing machine?
The sanitizing cycles on certain appliances are designed to reduce germs found on everyday items—from clothing and bedding to dishes. If you have a sanitize cycle on your dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer, now's the time to use it.
What is the sanitary cycle on washing machine?
The SANITARY cycle uses extreme temperature changes–extra hot during the wash, cold during the rinse–to clean the dirtiest clothing items in the house. This wash cycle reduces 99.9% bacteria on laundry through the high temperatures. This cycle is designed especially to wash and maintain bright white fabrics.
Is laundry sanitizer the same as detergent?
Remember, a detergent removes dirt, food waste and grease—a sanitizer kills pathogenic bacteria.
How hot is the sanitize cycle?
150° FahrenheitDuring a common wash cycle, the water reaches temperatures between 140° and 145° Fahrenheit, and a sanitize wash must use an extended hot-water rinse and reach at least 150° Fahrenheit to kill germs and eat away at bacteria found on your cookware.
Do washing machines sanitize clothes?
The hot water from the wash cycle is best for disinfecting clothes, and if you prefer to follow your clothes label and stick with a regular detergent wash, the heat will still work to eliminate the germs living on your clothes.
Can I spray Lysol in my washing machine?
To kill bacteria, use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the fabric softener compartment or pour directly into the rinse cycle. Use two caps filled to the correct line for your machine. To disinfect, pre-soak with laundry sanitizer. Use 2 capfuls in 1 gallon of cold water.
How do you disinfect towels?
Use 3/4 cup regular bleach for your white and bleachable towels. Use 3/4 cup color-safe bleach for colored towels. If your washing machine doesn't have a bleach dispenser, mix the bleach in 1 quart of water. Add this mixture five minutes into your washing cycle.
What can I use for laundry sanitizer?
Distilled White Vinegar From cleaning to deodorizing, white vinegar is a safe, natural product that has many practical uses around the house—and it's a powerful laundry disinfectant, too. Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle when you want to sanitize a load of laundry.
Does bleach sanitize laundry?
Chlorine bleach can be used to disinfect and sanitize laundry and well as kitchen, bathroom and other surfaces around the home. Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners are the only products that kill germs—but they only work if the label directions are followed.
How do I sanitize my laundry?
Sanitizing your laundry can be as simple as washing your clothes on a sanitary cycle or adding a laundry sanitizing product or bleach. Which option...
How do sanitizing cycles work?
The sanitize cycle on your washing machine or dryer works to eliminate 99.9% of three common household bacteria by using an extra-hot wash or dry c...
How do I clean my washer and dryer?
You should clean your washing machine and dryer regularly, but especially after laundering clothes, bedding or stuffed animals that have been expos...
WHAT THEY ARE
Sanitize cycles on washing machines, dryers and dishwashers add another layer of germ protection by reducing 99% of bacteria commonly found on dishes and home laundry. 85% of GE Appliances’ dishwashers and 60% of washers and dryers have sanitize cycles, yet many consumers aren’t aware that their appliances have these cycles.
WHEN TO USE
Use on heavily soiled loads, kid’s items—such as cloth diapers or bottles— or to sanitize your home when a family member is sick.
AVAILABILITY
Sanitize cycles are available across a range of GE Appliances’ brands, including Haier, GE, GE Profile, CAFÉ and Monogram at retailers nationwide.
HOW THEY WORK
1. The GE Appliances’ Sanitize cycle uses elevated water temperature and a longer wash cycle to kill bacteria, and a pump purge and extended rinse removes contaminants.
USAGE TIPS
It works best when dishes are loaded properly according to user manual.
Step 1: Read Your User Manual
One of the very first steps you should take when running a clean cycle on a washing machine is to check the appliance’s user manual for helpful tips.
Step 2: Run the Clean Cycle on Your Washing Machine
There are two primary ways you can run a clean cycle on a washing machine: use the self-clean feature or run a clean cycle without using the self-clean feature. I’ll go into more detail about these two approaches below.
Step 3: Cleaning the Rest of the Washing Machine
Your washing machine will be a lot cleaner once you have completed Steps 1 and 2 above, however, the cleaning phase won’t be entirely done by this point. There are still a few areas in and out of your washing machine that could do with a quick clean.
How to Keep a Washing Machine Cleaner for Longer
Once you’ve finished cleaning your washing machine, you’ll actually want to keep the machine looking spick and span for as long as possible.
How does a sanitizing cycle work?
How do sanitizing cycles work? The sanitize cycle on your washing machine or dryer works to eliminate 99.9% of three common household bacteria 1 by using an extra-hot wash or dry cycle. If your machine doesn’t have a designated cycle, use the warmest temperature setting available to optimize cleaning performance.
What is the Whirlpool washing machine cycle?
The cycle, available on select Whirlpool ® Washers, uses extra-hot water to eliminate 99.9% of three common household bacteria.¹ If your washing machine doesn’t have a sanitary cycle, use the warmest temperature setting available to optimize cleaning performance.
What to do if laundry is not sanitary?
If you don’t have a sanitary cycle or your laundry can’t be washed in hot water, add a laundry sanitizing product and wash as normal. These products, available from top household cleaner brands, can also be added to a sanitary cycle for an extra bacteria-fighting boost. Add sanitizer to your load based on product directions.
How to sanitize laundry with bleach?
Finish sanitizing in the dryer. The final step in sanitizing laundry is running it through the dryer. If your dryer has a designated sanitize cycle, we recommend using it.
Can you sanitize your clothes?
Sanitizing your laundry can be as simple as washing your clothes on a sanitary cycle or adding a laundry sanitizing product or bleach. Which option you choose depends on your washing machine and type of load. Be sure to check care labels to avoid fading or damaging the fabric.
Can you sanitize clothes with hot water?
Harmful bacteria can be found in towels, workout clothes and bedding, and your regular wash and dry routine may not be enough to remove them. Easily sanitize laundry by washing it in hot water with the sanitize cycle. Read on to learn how to sanitize clothes and bedding. Select a title below to jump to a topic.
Does Whirlpool wash with bleach?
Select Whirlpool ® Washers also have a specialized Sanitize with Oxi cycle, which uses detergent with an oxi additive to eliminate 99.9% of three common household bacteria.¹. Liquid bleach can be used in addition to a sanitary cycle, or for bleachable items that can’t be washed in hot water.
What is a sanitizing cycle?
A Sanitize cycle is something you may want to look for if you're planning on using cloth diapers. Somewhat self-explanatory, Sanitize cycles are all about making your clothes as clean as possible. The more you wear (and sweat in) your clothes, the more they become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Does it hurt to put something in the delicate cycle?
If you 're not sure about an item, it never hurts to put it in Delicate. Ah, the Delicate cycle. This is the cycle you use for things like underwear, lingerie, workout clothing, and anything else that's light or likely to break down under extreme conditions.
Is a normal dryer the harshest?
When in doubt, use this option. In dryers it works the same way. The normal/regular cycle is usually the harshest (unless there's a Heavy Duty option), as it uses the highest temperature settings to dry clothing as quickly as possible.
Do dryers sanitize?
Dryers with Sanitize cycles accomplish the same thing. But keep in mind, this intense heat can quickly wear out fabrics and shorten their lifespan. ADVERTISEMENT. If you're serious about sanitizing, look for NSF certification, which verifies that 99.9% of microorganisms are killed in a wash cycle.