A really rather disgusting question

[Deleted User]

savingmummy wrote: »

My mum has always ironed pants :rotfl:
I thought she was weird until I then read ironing them kills any germs lurking.

I must admit I iron virtually everything, and when my OH was alive everything of his was ironed as well, my DDs used to say their dad was the only person they knew who had a sharp crease in his socks,he nevr ever wore a pair that hadn't been ironed :D:D:rotfl:

tiredwithtwins

I wash everything at 30, except my uniform (I'm a nurse) and they get done at 60 which is what I believe hospital laundries wash everything at.

morganlefay

Oh dear, I'm still just as confused, but thank you everyone ! I asked the question because, as someone said, so many care labels now say 'wash at 30degrees' I think I am going to wash hotter in future, just because 30 degrees bothers me. I don't do the ironing here, OH does it and I can't see him ironing his pants :rotfl:

Auntie_Sceb

I work in health care bedding at work AND my uniforms have to be washed above 60 to kill germs. My uniform has to be ironed (part of uniform policy) not just to be neat and tidy but to kill any 'final' germs. So to be sure you should wash or iron undies at 60 however it's not like you are sharing your undies with others so a lower temperature unlikely to do you harm as you are 'used' to your own germs. My own are rarely washed at 60 as I don't tend to wash them on their own but usually with delicate fabrics (unless washing bedding) so it's usually 40. Some bras say handwash only - but they always go in the machine.

honeythewitch

morganlefay wrote: »

Oh dear, I'm still just as confused, but thank you everyone ! I asked the question because, as someone said, so many care labels now say 'wash at 30degrees' I think I am going to wash hotter in future, just because 30 degrees bothers me. I don't do the ironing here, OH does it and I can't see him ironing his pants :rotfl:

The answer is no, not all the germs are killed, unless there is a bacterial agent in the soap powder, so powders are (in general) better than the liquids or gels because powder usually contains bleach.

This article explains a lot, but you need to brace yourself before reading.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2398775/30-C-laundry-cycles-breed-bacteria-transfer-germs-underwear-tea-towels.html

honeythewitch

Auntie_Sceb wrote: »

I work in health care bedding at work AND my uniforms have to be washed above 60 to kill germs. My uniform has to be ironed (part of uniform policy) not just to be neat and tidy but to kill any 'final' germs. So to be sure you should wash or iron undies at 60 however it's not like you are sharing your undies with others so a lower temperature unlikely to do you harm as you are 'used' to your own germs. My own are rarely washed at 60 as I don't tend to wash them on their own but usually with delicate fabrics (unless washing bedding) so it's usually 40. Some bras say handwash only - but they always go in the machine.

Except it turns out that there is no requirement for machine manufacturers to make the machines go up to the temperature listed, and they are encouraged to drop the temperature to get a higher eco rating, so a sixty degree wash that kills dustmites and most germs might only be forty or fifty degrees, which wont.
The world has gone bonkers.
http://conversation.which.co.uk/energy-home/washing-machines-60-degrees-kill-bugs-detergent/

BitterAndTwisted

I've never felt the need to sterilise my undergarments. If I had some foul pestilence that I was afraid of transmitting to others I'd soak them in disinfectant before washing them or put it in the last rinse instead of fabric conditioner.

What's all this killing 99% of germs cobblers? Has someone been watching those Dettol ads or something?

tamzing

Horseunderwater wrote: »

time it for after 1.30am so I take advantage of cheaper electric too.

I wouldn't do this. Washing machines are one of the biggest causes of house fires, so I would never ever have mine running at night while I'm asleep.

Evil_Olive

I have washed everything I own on the gentlest wash at 30 degrees ever since I first had access to a machine that offered a delicates program with this low a temperature (mid 90s). I have always used the cheapest washing powder I can find for whites and a discount brand 'colour' powder for everything else. Very occasionally I'll do a 90 degree wash if the machine starts to smell and I put all my white stuff in this that has any faint stains.
I have never owned a tumble dryer.

I am still alive and have never suffered from any kind of foul pestilence as far as I'm aware.

My clothes smell fine, are unstained, and last for years - I am still wearing the last few socks from a pack of 10 pairs I bought on Whitechapel market for £2 in 1996. They are very faded but no holes and elastic still good.

I think it's a bad idea to hermetically seal yourself off from all everyday germs.
I like to make sure my immune system knows what it's dealing with
I call it 'Uploading the latest virus definitions'

suki1964

After being plagued with thrush like symptoms for a year and being tarted sight unseen by my GP, I took the bull by the horns and went to the GUM clinic

There it was confirmed I hadn't thrush or anything else wrong with me

However the consultant dis ask me about personal hygiene and explained that at 30oC no germs will be killed, and in fact will multiply. She advised a hot (40 but prefer 60) for knickers and to keep the frilly delicates for special occasions and not every day

Not had a problem since taking her advice

Every day normal wear clothes get a 40 wash. Sheets, towels, face cloths, tea towels, all get 90 and my ( not so ) smalls get either a 60 or the more delicate get a delicate 40 wash

However I do use a biological soap, I understand that a non biological soap is better for cool washes Something to do with the enzymes needing a hotter wash to kill germs whereas the bleaches in the non bio do the job at a lower temp

I may be wrong