Waterproof: What temperature to kill microbes?

Last update: October 2021 ShareWhatsappTweetMail

newsTo eliminate bacteria, dust mites and mould, the temperature of the laundry must exceed 40°C, and it should ideally be between 60 and 90°C.

Healthy people should not be obsessed with the presence of microbes on their laundry: these residual germs do not in principle present any danger. Washing clothes at 30°C or (especially) at 40°C eliminates a significant amount of microorganisms... but not all of them. This is the reason why, in certain circumstances, it is better to raise the temperature.

Special cases

• When immunity is weakened or not optimal (babies, elderly people, immunocompromised patients, etc.), the washing temperature for textiles should be at least 60°C. This applies to clothes, bed sheets, bath towels, handkerchiefs, fabric toys...

• Towels, tablecloths, pillowcases, sheets, tea towels and underwear should be washed at 60°C.

• Mites are not resistant to temperatures equal to or greater than 60°C.

• In the event of mycosis, laundry that has been in contact with the parts of the body concerned will be cleaned at 60°C. Same for scabies.

• Laundry should dry as quickly as possible: germs grow at an accelerated rate in a humid environment. It is therefore necessary to empty your machine very quickly after the end of the program and immediately proceed to drying (tumble dryer or in the open air).

• If you are used to washing your textiles at 30 or 40°C, it is recommended to let your machine run empty by setting the thermostat to 90°C (without soap or fabric softener). This sanitizes the device. Do this every three months.

See also the article: Laundry: beware of liquid pods!

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