Sanitising Underwear

[liberatordeluxe]

If you use liquids for underwear and wash at 60C does that sanitise the underwear? Or do you need both heat and oxygen bleach powder?

I always wash underwear separately but make up a full load as have 3 other people in the house.

 

[danemodsandy]

Why Forget the Obvious?

The problem of nasty seat stains in underwear can be eliminated almost entirely - at the source.

As everyone knows, toilet paper (loo roll) is not 100% effective at cleaning. Moist wipes aren't either.

What is effective? A good thorough shower. I can already hear you say, "But I can't shower after every sit-down!"

True enough - but you can train yourself to "go" early in the morning, before your shower. Once you slip your clean keester into clean undies, you're usually good for the day.

I followed this advice many years ago, and I have Hanes briefs that are white as the driven snow, with nothing more needed than a hot wash and OxyClean.

This method involves getting the Hell up in the morning and giving yourself some time to run to the loo, but then I never understood how a 20-minute "morning constitutional" on company time came to be seen as an employee's right. And that's after a leisurely appreciation of a sackful of McDonald's food at one's desk.

 

[launderess]

Sanitize

Be definition in healthcare settings merely means reducing the number of *germs* to levels unlikely to cause disease. Merely swishing laundry around in water alone would dislodge and send down the drain enough pathogens for that purpose. They would still be alive for the most part but that is another story.

E Coli (the most common bacteria found on undergarments for the nether regions) requires sustained temps of >160F for ten minutes IIRC to destroy. However not many undergarments especially those with elastic can withstand routine washes at those temps.

Alkaline detergents in hot water (120F and above) are better sanitizers of laundry than liquid detergents in cool, cold or even warm/hot water. Just as with many other living things bacteria often have a range of pH they can survive in, and alkaline detergents seem to have a decent enough affect.

Further sanitation will take place by adding oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate or sodium perborate). Again results are better witn an alkaline detergent than neutral pH liquids.

If you are truly that worried about germs and stuff in your undies Ariel and other brands have professional detergents that are certified to disinfect laundry.

Or, there is always Persil Hygienespuler (Ppersil hygiene Disinfectant rinse) that one uses instead of fabric softener in the final rinse.

All this palaver aside merely laundering your things in hot water with a good detergent + oxygen bleach, then drying in a clothes dryer should take care of 99% of your worries. Unless someone in your home has a stomach bug or something, in that case speak with your physician or local district nurse about what is best.

http://www.pgprof.com/upload/documents/professionalarielhygieneexpertformula.pdf

 

[danemodsandy]

Launderess:

May one ask why liquid chlorine bleach isn't on your list of sovereign remedies?

If used only as needed and only on whites, it fights bacon stripes in underwear like nothing else.

 

[launderess]

Cannot Abide LCB

Haven't touched the stuff since leaving home years ago.

One, chlorine bleach unless properly rinsed and neutralized will eventually rot fabrics.

Two, few if any of my "whites" are totally so, that is they have coloured designs and or trim that would fade from exposure to chlorine bleach.

Three, cannot use the stuff in my Miele nor soon to arrive AEG washers.

Just really cannot abide the whiff of chlorine. Was that happy when enzyme based automatic dishwashing detergents came out so one didn't have to deal with the "bleach" odor.

Finally in terms of long term removal of stains chlorine bleaches actually have a higher level of stains returning than say oxygen. That is stains that seemingly are removed can sometimes slowly return.

Another thing: once one started taking science and nursing courses began to realize the folly of "disinfecting" laundry and or dishes. It simply cannot be done in a home setting and even if things emerged "germ free" they are quickly covered in germs again. Long as one is healthy with intact skin 99% of those germs aren't going to bother you.

 

[frigilux]

All my undergarments (T-shirts and briefs) are white cotton, so I wash using the Sanitize cycle with liquid chlorine bleach---despite laundering-label directions that forbid both hot water and LCB.

I also dry those loads of kitchen/personal whites on the Sanitize setting, which supposedly holds the temperature at a certain level for a given length of time (specifics of both elude me at the moment).

Given this laundering scenario, the elastic in my briefs endures well over a year's abuse before it starts to lose its elasticity.

All my bath and bed linens are also white, and I often use LCB on those loads, as well.

I also use a bleach solution to disinfect the kitchen sinks/counters and bathroom fixtures.

My sister, on the other hand, who grew up in a household in which our mom used LCB all the time, refuses to go near the stuff. She hates the scent.

 

[danemodsandy]

What I've Found:

Is that oxygen bleach is better for routine washing. Given that I don't bacon-stripe my undies (see my previous post above), a hot wash and OxyClean is more than sufficient.

I buy Hanes briefs at Wally World 3 six-packs at a time, for a total of 18 pair. They're changed daily (oftener if needed), washed the way I've mentioned, and rotated - just-washed ones go on the bottom of the stack in my underwear drawer, so that no pair is worn oftener than any other, evening out the wear.

I get at least three years out of them this way, which is not bad at all for a total investment of less than $20. And there's always plenty of clean - really clean - skivvies on hand.

But if something untoward happens, I'm not above using a bit of LCB to get things back to normal.

 

[liberatordeluxe]

Thanks Laundress for the link. I may use that for all my whites not that I have that many. I would probably fade my coloured underwear through constant use of oxygen bleach so maybe best to get more white cotton underwear.

 

[launderess]

Only Scent One Cannot Abide More Than Chlorine Bleach

Is that from pine oil cleaners.

The woman who works the last shift at local Laundromat uses chlorine bleach (often neat) to mop the floors before closing. Why one has no idea as LCB alone has very little cleaning power for heavy soils but that is another matter.

That she does this *before* closing means any customers still in the place are often gaging from the fumes of the bleach. Not to mention one has to be very careful not to drop laundry (especially dark items) onto the wet floor. Apparently the surface is so wet with residue it can and does cause spots.

Never understood why two of the foulest smelling substances are often used world round for cleaning. In France eau de Javel (as LCB was originally called), is not used for laundry, but often housecleaning. It is found in the cleaner section of supermarkets/shops instead of the detergent shelves. Often in a type of sausage shaped container like what fabric softener did in the USA years ago.

 

[danemodsandy]

We Would NOT Get Along!

I love the smell of Pine-Sol.

 

[launderess]

Am Rather Old School

In holding firm to the belief that all undergarments along with bed and bath linens should be white, perhaps with light coloured trimming and or embroidery. As such they can withstand hot to boiling washes without risk of color damage.

Even off white, ecru or champagne items can be laundered in hot water long as products containing bluing agents aren't involved (they will "bleach" the color), and or oxygen bleach is used carefully.

 

[hoover1100]

In all honesty

Do you feel the need to have your 'private parts' sanitised?

OK, so I wash whites and towels at 60c with oxy bleach containing powder, but this is for optimal stain removal, whiteness and to prevent the musty damp odour that can build up on towels over time when washed at low temps.

I do not feel that laundry needs to be 'sanitised' simply clean and stain free.

My underwear is washed in whatever load corresponds to their colour (mostly black) so they go in with all the other dark colours on a 40c wash (although lately I have started washing darks at 30 with no adverse effects, since a change in deodorant has prevented build up under the arms of tshirts which was not removed below 40c) with either regular powder or a colour/liquid detergent if I ever have any in the house (which I currently do, never in my life did I think I would wash anything at 30 with speed wash selected and a colour liquid, but people change!).

I can assure you they are perfectly clean and fresh...

Matt

 

[thor]

Answered prayers

Every household in my country has at least one WC with a bidet, where you can shower clean your south area. I've been doing this for my hole life, errr, excuse me, my whole life, and I couldn't settle for anything less!
Emilio
Buenos Aires

 

[frigilux]

Laundromat Bleach Horrors: She cleans the floor with undiluted bleach?! Sweet Jesus, that would send me running for the exit, too. I always dilute bleach according to package directions for cleaning purposes.

 

[Ultramatic]

Very true Emilio

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">While bidets are rare here, they do exist. There are 2 in my parents second home and here in NYC the toilets have been retrofitted with add on bidet functions. They're not as powerful as a stand alone bidet, but it's far superior to regular toilet paper, even moist towelettes.  Let me tell you, just the thing when you're not feeling "fresh". </span>

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">As for intimate apparel, if they are cotton and white, just wash at the highest temp recommended from manufacturer and use chlorine bleach according to directions. I've used bleach always, and keeps my and hubby's briefs, jockstraps and tube socks minty fresh and bright. </span>

 

If your concern is above and beyond, try any of these:

 

Here are additional methods that will kill germs, bacteria and pathogens and keep your laundry fresh and sanitized.

<a class="no_underline" name="UsingHouseholdItems"> </a>

<h2><a class="no_underline" name="UsingHouseholdItems">Using Household Items</a></h2>
<a class="no_underline" name="UsingHouseholdItems"> </a>

 

<h3>You Will Need:</h3>
<ul>
<li>3% Hydrogen peroxide</li>
<li>Vinegar</li>
<li>Pine-Sol</li>
<li>Measuring cup</li>
<li>Washing machine</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to Disinfect the Laundry:</h3>
<ol>
<li>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.</li>
<li>Wash using the longest wash cycle available.</li>
<li>Rinse and dry as normal.</li>
</ol>
<a class="no_underline" name="UsingNaturalProducts"> </a>

<h2><a class="no_underline" name="UsingNaturalProducts">Using Natural Products</a></h2>
<a class="no_underline" name="UsingNaturalProducts"> </a>

 

<h3>You Will Need:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Grapefruit Seed Oil or Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), or Tea Tree Oil</li>
<li>Measuring spoon</li>
<li>Washing machine</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to Disinfect the Laundry:</h3>
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.

<ol>
<li>Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of GSE or 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to each load of laundry.</li>
<li>Wash and dry the clothes using normal cycles.</li>
</ol>
<a class="no_underline" name="AdditionalTipsandAdvice"> </a>

<h2><a class="no_underline" name="AdditionalTipsandAdvice">Additional Tips and Advice</a></h2>
<a class="no_underline" name="AdditionalTipsandAdvice"> </a>

 

<ul>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Hope this helps!</span>

 

[yogitunes]

This is wrong on so many levels.......

yeah...I could see my grandmother, with a wringer, seperating underwear from socks, from Tshirts, from towels..etc....she would spend all day washing somthing that could all go into one wash, hot water, detergent and some bleach....

you guys puzzle me......if you had to turn the clock back 50 years, you wouldn't be lugging water to the stove to heat, and then keep refilling the wringer to wash socks, and then handtowels, and Tshirts........guaranteed, it would all be washed together....and there wouldn't be an issue!.....I didn't get sick from my grandmother doing this...and neither will you!

you wash your undies seperately?.......from white towels, or bed linens, or even white clothing?.....

what the hell for?.....white is white.....never heard anything more stupid...and I mean that bluntly!

do you use a seperate machine for only a particular load....afraid of cross contamination?

yes, an ocassional racing stripe can show up.......if washed properly, with correct temps and detergent, and a little bleach, the whole wash will come out clean....no questions asked........

if your skivvies are that funky, and have to be washed seperately......I would have to wonder.....what is the rest of you like?....

do you use a new bar of soap every morning......because of knowing the last place you used it, and the first place it will touch in the morning?....if the towel your drying with can't touch your face after drying your butt....get back in that shower!

I finally figured out why some guys are not partnered!...or have even less friends....my mother always advised to wear clean underwear in case of an accident and you end up in the hospital.....her words finally make sense....

every load I wash is either Warm or Hot wash......detergent, chlorine or color safe bleach, maybe borax or ammonia......a cold rinse and maybe some softner....

if your clothes, that are mixed together, (yes, I seperate whites from lights and darks, thats common sense) don't come clean from a simple formula.....just seems like nonsense to me.....

this just seems like an obsurd way of thinking in my book....

 

[whirlcool]

A few years ago I had a jock itch problem that was very difficult to get rid of. The doctor asked how I launder my underwear. I just told him detergent & warm water. He said that wasn't good enough. He said at least every other week wash the underwear in hot water with a little bit of chlorine bleach. He said that some bacteria that causes jock itch can survive a warm water wash. The hot water & bleach will kill everything.

We started washing my underwear as directed and the jock itch disappeared completely in about 10 days.

 

[launderess]

Jock Itch

Is a fungal infection, so no in theory warm water washing with even oxygen bleach won't do; for such situations you need to call out the big guns.

 

[foxchapel]

bacon stripes, racing stripes . . .

... under this roof they are called skid marks. I'm chuckling over the various terms for such.

All this concern about sanitizing underwear sort of makes one wonder about the seating surfaces in nudist camps. (eek!)