Hygiene - Cold wash, No bleach bedding

Shrimply

Hi guys,

I've just picked up some cheap Egyptian cotton bedding from Argos. It was cheap so if I destroy it it isn't the end of the world, and I'm not expecting it to be super good quality. I should also point out I'm not hugely paranoid about germs.

However, I was surprised that the washing instructions say to cold wash and not to use bleach. This just doesn't seem hygienic at all.

Usually I'd wash bedding at 40C and add a scoopful of an oxygen bleach product to hopefully kill any nasties. Having done a bit of googling I suspect I'd probably be OK washing the new bedding like this too.

I suspect that when they say "Do not bleach" they are referring to chlorine bleach but this isn't actually obvious.

Can anyone more experienced offer advice? Thanks.

AnnieO1234

Dettol laundry cleanser or similar? Surprising really because cotton usually handles high heat well. Is there a design or appliqu! on it? Xxx

curlytop12

wow, i've just washed my bedding on 60! I've never even looked at the washing label....
washing at 60 is what I'm advised to wash my nurse uniform at, so it must be enough to kill most germs I'd guess?

foolofbeans

I wash white cotton sheets at 60 sometimes 90. Never heard of adding bleach to kill germs, bleach is actually very bad for cloth fibres as it weakens them. Bleaching also yellows whites over time so should probably be avoided.

worried_jim

Always do mine on the hot 90c whites wash with a scoop of vanish.

gsymoo

I'm seeing more items marked as cold or 30C wash, not due to the fabric but due to the manufacturer trying to be more environmentally friendly. Personally I never wash on 30 or cold as I don't think it does the machine any good or gets it clean.

FairyPrincessk

To decode the no-bleach instruction have a look at the symbols. There is a guide here, published by Which?, which decodes them. It seems two stripes in the triangle means no chlorine bleach while a completely blacked out triangle with a cross over it means no bleach of any kind, including oxygen bleach.

http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/washing-machines/article/washing-symbols-explained

Shrimply

Thanks for all the responses.

The bedding is just plain coloured and doesn't have any fancy bits.

Generally I don't have an issue with low temperature washes, I think it's better for the environment and I never have any issues getting things visibly or olfactorily clean.

I do think that bedding and towels etc do need to be hygienically cleaned though and was surprised by the washing instructions in that respect. The symbols are interesting too ( thank for that, I didn't realise), apparently it suggests no bleaching of any kind.

foolofbeans wrote: »

I wash white cotton sheets at 60 sometimes 90. Never heard of adding bleach to kill germs, bleach is actually very bad for cloth fibres as it weakens them. Bleaching also yellows whites over time so should probably be avoided.

So you've never heard of Napisan etc? As far as I'm aware all of the negatives you list apply to solely to chlorine bleach. Oxygen bleach doesn't affect fibres and should prevent whites dulling over time.

pigpen

bedding has washing instructions???

Mine gets washed at 40'C, spoon of wash powder .. biological so it has the enzyme eating properties.. and fabric conditioner and put on the line.. I can't bleach it, its red, and I wouldnt anyway.

If you have germ issues.. iron it, or wash at 60'C .. why else would you want to use anything else? Do you bleach your undies? They have more cooties than your bed sheets!

System

My white cotton bedding gets washed at 60 degrees. I did go through a period of washing them in 40 degrees but found they didnt come up as white.

Towels get washed at 60 degrees too.

Bleaching undies? I dont think theres any need for that!

pogofish

A urine wash would probably the best and most properly hygienic way to handle Egyptian cotton.

Urine, pickling vinegar and bicarb can be used on patches of more stubborn stains.

So get the buckets out, ensure everyone in or visiting your home gives a good generous donation, then steep overnight and rinse it well.