Laundry Sanitiser & Why You Need It

Have you ever wondered why that perspiration smell remains in your gym clothes, even after you’ve washed them? Why you can’t get rid of that tinea, not matter how much powder or cream you put on your toes? The answer could be in your laundry and it could be laundry sanitiser.

Most people think a good detergent is all you need when washing, but in fact, you also need a good sanitiser. So let’s have a look at the different roles they play, and why you need both.

Detergent vs Sanitiser

The role of detergent and sanitiser is a little like that of shampoo and conditioner:

Detergent – removes dirt, grease, and solids from your washing and is designed to be washed away, leaving no residue.

Sanitiser – kills bacteria and fungi on clothing that cause cross-contamination, re-infection and odours and should be used in the rinse cycle, and is designed to leave a residue in your clothing.

What Needs Sanitiser

If everyone in your family is healthy, you may not need sanitiser when washing your regular clothing. However, there are some items that should be sanitised with each wash:

  • Bath towels, sheets, and bedding –moist, warm, and protein-rich environments are a super-spreader locations for bacteria, so a splash of sanitiser should always be added to a wash of towels, sheets, and bedding.
  • Socks and jocks – particularly if someone has a tendency towards tinea.
  • Gym gear – that smell of perspiration you have trouble getting out of gym gear is caused by the interaction of bacteria and sweat. Kill the bacteria and you’ll kill the smell.

When You Need Sanitiser

Whilst you don’t necessarily need to use Laundry Sanitiser in every wash, there are some circumstances when it is highly recommended:

  • If someone in your family is sick with a cold, flu, tummy bug, or other transmissible illness to prevent cross-contamination
  • If someone in your family is immune-compromised and at higher risk of picking up illness
  • If someone in your family has a fungal infection such as tinnea or certain types of nappy rash to prevent re-infection
  • If you are at risk of catching Covid-19

A Word About Soaking

In addition to a laundry sanitiser in the rinse cycle, there are products you can use for soaking that will kill bacteria before the wash cycle, such as Nappy Wash and Oxygen Bleach soakers.

A Tip For Your Kitchen Towels

Make up a bucket of Oxygen Bleach Laundry Soaker at the beginning of the week and drop your kitchen towels in as you use them. Once you have a load, give them a wash in nice hot water, with a splash of Eucalyptus Laundry Sanitiser in the rinse cycle. Voila! Fresh, clean, bacteria-free kitchen towels.

JAMAC provide a range of products to remove bacteria from your washing and help keep your family healthy. If you would like further information or advice on the best way to tackle your particular cleaning related problems, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or (02) 9838 1220.

Products recommended in this article:

Eucalyptus Laundry Sanitiser
Nappy Wash
Oxygen Bleach Laundry Soaker