With so many runny noses, sneezing souls, and various viruses running rampant, it’s no wonder people are trying to find ways to protect themselves from illnesses!
One popular way of keeping safe right now is to wash and sanitise clothes with specially formulated laundry sanitisers.
Laundry sanitiser, as you might’ve guessed from the name, gets added to the wash cycle and ensures that the laundry inside the machine comes out of the washer as bacteria and virus-free as possible!
Sanitisers can be bought from lots of places and can vary in price. So, it can be a pain trying to navigate your way around the best products and deals!
But that’s where we come in! Below, you’ll find a selection of the best laundry sanitiser to date. Keep on reading to find out the juicy details.
The Best Laundry Sanitisers in the UK
1. Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser
Scent: Fresh cotton
Bottle size: 1.5 litre
Number in pack: 4 bottles
With a rich history and more than 90 years of expertise in the field of disinfecting and hygiene, Dettol’s Laundry Sanitiser had to make it onto the list of the best laundry sanitisers around!
Dettol’s Antibacterial Laundry Sanitiser comes in 1.5-litre bottles, and you should get 12 washes from each bottle (assuming you use two 60 ml capfuls of sanitiser per wash).
This particular purchase is actually a bulk buy deal, so you get four bottles in a pack. An ample amount of laundry sanitiser that’ll see you through plenty of washes.
There’s only one tiny problem with this. Sometimes, the sanitisers leak during transit. And although this doesn’t happen every time. It is a pain when it does.It’s pretty messy, and you lose a lot of valuable liquid in the process.
The sanitiser can be used to kill off MRSA, E. coli, Salmonella, and Rotavirus. What’s more, it’s effective at taking out these germs in cold washes. This saves you energy, which, in turn, saves you money.
After each wash, the sanitiser will ensure your laundry is free from odour-causing bacteria. And the smell of fresh cotton will linger on your clothes, so you’ll get hours of freshness from each garment.
The liquid can be used to make various kinds of laundry hygienic, including but not limited to underwear, kid’s clothes, bedding, and uniforms.
Like other sanitisers, it can be added to your washing machine along with every load you wash.
It’s not difficult to use Dettol’s solution. It can be added to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine and used during a normal washing cycle. Or you can soak your clothes in the solution to ensure they’re virus and bacteria-free.
For a ‘normal wash’, add two capfuls of Dettol Laundry Sanitiser (60 ml each) to the softener compartment, add your regular detergent and run the cycle. You don’t need to add fabric softener.
To soak your items in Dettol’s sanitiser, work on the basis that you need to use one cap (60 ml) of Dettol sanitiser per 2.5 litres of water. You can then leave your garments to soak in the solution for a suitable amount of time: 10 minutes to remove bacteria and 15 to remove viruses.
The only significant issues are that you may not have room to store the bulk buy because the bottles are clumpy. And there’s not always an overwhelming scent with the sanitiser. But how powerful you find the aroma boils down to personal preference.
Overall, Dettol’s laundry sanitiser gives you a peace of mind (that your clothes are sanitary) without breaking the bank.
2. Lysol Laundry Sanitizer
Scent: Crisp Linen
Bottle size: 1.21 litres
Number in pack: 1 bottle
If you’re after a reliable laundry sanitiser that tackles bacteria without using harsh bleach, Lysol’s Laundry Sanitizer in “Crisp Linen” might be just what you need.
This bleach-free additive has become a household favourite in the US and is now gaining popularity in the UK, thanks to its promise of eliminating 99.9% of bacteria that cause odours — even in cold water. It’s designed to be gentle on fabrics yet powerful enough to keep laundry hygienically clean, whether you’re washing clothes, towels, bedding, or sportswear.
Each bottle contains 41 fl. oz (approximately 1.2 litres) of liquid sanitiser, and you should get a fair number of washes depending on how much you use per load. For a typical cycle, simply pour the recommended amount (usually two capfuls) into your washing machine’s fabric softener compartment or directly into the rinse cycle. The product then gets to work neutralising bacteria during the rinse cycle.
If you prefer to soak items, you can dilute two capfuls of Lysol sanitiser in around a gallon (4 litres) of cold water and leave your laundry to soak for 15 minutes before washing as usual. This method ensures even deeper hygiene and is particularly useful for fabrics you’d rather not wash on a high heat.
The Crisp Linen scent is fresh and subtle rather than overpowering, so if you’re not keen on heavily perfumed laundry products, this could be a perfect middle ground. It leaves clothes smelling clean but not “chemical”, which many people find appealing. However, others note that the scent fades quickly after drying so if you enjoy a lingering fragrance, you might find this one a little too mild.
Another positive is that Lysol’s solution can be used at low temperatures, helping you save energy and money. It’s safe on both whites and colours and suitable for most washable fabrics, making it a versatile option.
One thing to be aware of is that while Lysol works brilliantly as an antibacterial additive, it’s not the most economical choice if you plan to use it in every wash. Given the dosage per cycle, a single 1.2-litre bottle may not last long in a busy household.
3. Fabulosa Anti-Bacterial Freshening Laundry Cleanser
Scent: Fresh Breeze
Bottle size: 1 litre
Number in pack: 6 bottles
Fabulosa is known for its scented goodies, and its laundry sanitiser follows suit! The carefully selected blend of gardenia, rose, jasmine, patchouli, and sandalwood mix together to create a refreshing aroma that doesn’t just leave your laundry smelling better for longer, but the smell permeates throughout the house. The whiffiness is even more intense if you live in a small space!
Of course, the odour can be a touch overpowering for some. So, if you’d prefer not to have an assault on your nostrils, steer clear of this product.
If you compare the price per litre of each product on this list, this punchy, aromatically pleasing laundry sanitiser is a little more costly than others. But the extra few pennies can be forgiven because your washing will be bursting with long-lasting freshness.
In addition, the solution can be used on a cold wash. So, you’ll be able to run more energy-efficient washes, saving you a few pounds over time. It sort of balances itself out.
Like other sanitisers, it can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, and is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. And can sanitise underwear, bedding, towels, and pet bedding.
A single bottle will see you through approximately 20 washes. However, this is based on you using 50ml of liquid per wash.
Measuring said 50 ml can be tricky as you’ve got to pour the solution into the cap, which can be messy!
As with other bulk buys, the bottles sometimes leak when in transit. This is far from ideal. You’ll lose product in the process, and the bottles in the box will end up covered in liquid! Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid this. It’s just something you’ve got to keep in mind.
4. Astonish Protect + Care Anti-Bacterial Laundry Cleanser
Scent: Magnolia
Bottle size: 1 litre
Number in pack: 1 bottle
If you’re after a vegan, cruelty-free laundry boost that tackles bacteria without needing scalding hot water, Astonish’s Protect & Care Laundry Cleanser could be a smart pick.
This 1-litre liquid is marketed as a biodegradable additive that kills 99.9 % of bacteria on fabrics and inside your washing drum, even at low temperatures like 20 °C.
It’s available in a light magnolia fragrance, which is fresh and floral without being overpowering.
To use it, just add it via the fabric softener drawer in your washing machine. Astonish suggests using four capfuls per wash.
Overall, Astonish Protect & Care Anti-Bacterial Laundry Cleanser is a solid option for people wanting to add an extra layer of hygiene without relying on bleach or overly harsh chemicals.
5. BritishBasics Advanced Laundry Sanitiser
Scent: Unscented
Bottle size: 1 litre
Number in pack: 1 bottle
If you’re after a simple to use, scent-free laundry sanitiser, take a peek at BritishBasics’ Advanced Laundry Sanitiser.
The odourless liquid can remove viruses and bacteria from clothing, bedding, underwear and more, even when used at a temperature as low as 30°C.
It’s super simple to use. You just pour 100ml of the sanitiser into the fabric softener compartment in the dispenser drawer, add your regular detergent, and start a wash.
By the end of the cycle, you’ll have hygienically clean laundry.
As its name suggests, the item is fuss-free and as basic as it comes!
Based on price per litre, this item is one of the most expensive ones on this list. And given that you must use 100 ml (standard dose) per wash, you won’t get as many washes out of a single one-litre bottle – approximately 10. This is a little less than what other bottles offer. So, you may find yourself going through a bottle much quicker!
If you plan on using this sanitiser to soak laundry as well, you’ll need to add 100 ml of the solution to 2.5 litres of water and soak your items for 15 minutes.
If you do this often enough, you’ll accelerate how quickly you go through a one-litre bottle of BritishBasics’ Advanced Laundry Sanitiser. Repeatedly buying this item won’t work out as the most cost-effective option.
6. McKLords Laundry Sanitiser
Scent: Unscented
Bottle size: 5 litres
Number in pack: 1 bottle
McKLord’s Laundry Sanitiser might seem pricey at first glance, considering you only get one bottle for the price tag.
However, unlike other sanitisers on this list, this bottle is actually five litres. So, when you work out its price per litre, this particular item falls in line with other reasonably priced laundry cleansers on this list.
This item is the professional’s choice of sanitiser, and there’s a good reason it is, too. It can be bought in a vast quantity, eliminates odours on laundry, and kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.
Plus, the solution can be used at cooler temperatures, like 30°C. So not only will you have germ-free laundry, but you’ll also have a happy wallet because you’ll have saved some money on your running costs!
Like other sanitisers, McKLord’s cleanser is simple to use. You pour a 100 ml dose of the solution into the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine, add your laundry detergent and clothes, and begin the wash.
Or you can soak your garments in a mixture of 100ml of laundry sanitiser and 2.5 litres of water and allow it to soak for 10 minutes.
Adding a 100 ml dose to your washing machine may sound like a lot. But, in reality, this measure isn’t too bad when you consider that the bottle is five litres.
You will effectively get 50 washes out of the five-litre bottle, assuming you’re sticking to the 100ml dosage instructions.
That’s a fair amount of washing from a single bottle compared to what other entries on this list can manage.
While we’re on the topic of bottle size, the 28 cm tall bottle isn’t as bulky and hard to pack away as you might think. Of course, it’s bigger and heavier than other items mentioned, but its size and weight aren’t a deal breaker by any means! Plus, it’s sometimes easier to store one item rather than lots of bottles!
The main issue you’ll face is measuring out the correct amount of solution each time. The cap isn’t exactly big enough to measure out a dose. And trying to pour a dose of sanitiser into such an implement while holding a five-litre bottle of liquid isn’t the easiest of tasks!
So, you’ll likely have to grab another measuring tool to ensure your laundry is being plied with the correct dose of sanitiser.
Do You Use Laundry Detergent with Laundry Sanitiser?
Yes, you can use laundry detergent and laundry sanitiser at the same time. Add both products to your washing machine before you run a cleaning cycle.
As a brief guide, add your regular laundry detergent to your washing machine, then pour a dose of laundry sanitiser into the fabric softener compartment in the dispenser drawer, add the dirty laundry to the drum, select a washing cycle, and start the wash.
The washing machine will take over once you start the cycle and will ensure that the detergent and sanitiser are released at the right time for maximum effect.
Is Laundry Sanitiser Worth Buying?
Laundry sanitiser is good for killing bacteria and viruses on clothing. However, it is not essential to use laundry sanitiser when cleaning clothes or other types of laundry.
It all boils down to personal preference and situation. If you want to add this extra step to your washing routine, go ahead.
If not, don’t worry about it. Just follow the instructions on your laundry detergent’s packaging – add the correct dose of detergent and choose an appropriate cleaning cycle – doing this will ensure your laundry is cleaned effectively.
Where Do You Put Laundry Sanitiser in a Washing Machine?
Laundry sanitiser is usually poured into the fabric softener compartment in your washing machine’s dispenser drawer.
However, you should always read the instructions on the packaging of your chosen sanitiser to make sure you add the laundry sanitiser to the machine at the right time, use the correct dose, and pour the solution into the right region.
Conclusion
If we had to recommend one laundry sanitiser, it would be Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser because it’s moderately priced, you can buy it in bulk, it works well, and it comes from a leading brand that specialises in making laundry hygienic.
However, if you’re after long-lasting freshness and extra-scented laundry, check out Fabulosa Anti-Bacterial Freshening Laundry Cleanser. Not only is it aromatically pleasing, but it can sanitise your laundry well, and it’s cruelty-free and vegan-friendly!
Bethan has a passion for exploring, reading, cooking and gardening! When she’s not creating culinary delights for her family, she’s concocting potions to keep her house clean!
