Washing clothes at lower temperatures is much better for the environment as well as being more gentle for delicate clothes. However, it doesn’t always kill germs and bacteria effectively.
Dettol Laundry Cleanser can be used in addition to regular detergent and claims to kills 99.9% of bacteria even at low temperatures. Unlike bleach, this laundry cleanser doesn’t discolour or damage clothes so can be used for the most delicate items and fabrics.
What Should You Use Dettol Laundry Cleanser For?
Dettol Laundry Cleanser should be used to kill germs and bacteria from your laundry when washing at lower temperatures.
Dettol Laundry Cleanser can give extra peace of mind to families washing laundry where someone is ill, or if there is a young baby in the household.
How to Use Dettol Laundry Cleanser
Two capfuls of Dettol Laundry Cleanser should be added to the fabric softener drawer of your washing machine before starting the washing cycle.
Dettol Laundry Cleanser is an additional measure, so you will still need to use a washing detergent in the wash alongside it. You can also add fabric conditioner to the fabric softener drawer for added softness if this is part of your usual washing routine.
To kill viruses on clothes, they can be soaked in 2.5 litres of water with one cap of Dettol Laundry Cleanser for approximately 15 minutes. You can then wash your clothes as normal. This could be a good option if you don’t like the smell of the product, as soaking and then washing as normal will remove the smell.
There are several warnings associated with this product which you should know before using it:
- Dettol Laundry Cleanser is an irritant – it can cause irritation to the skin and serious damage to the eyes if it were to come into contact with them.
- It should always be kept out of the reach of children as with all cleaning and laundry supplies.
- This cleanser is also extremely dangerous to aquatic life.
Is Dettol Laundry Cleanser Necessary?
Many people believe that Dettol Laundry Cleanser isn’t necessary for most healthy households, and that simply washing your clothes in a good detergent in a washing machine with a good washing action is enough to dislodge most dirt and bacteria.
Also, although it’s possible for bacteria and viruses to survive on clothes, there’s not much evidence that people get viruses from dirty clothing. One known exception to this is the MRSA virus – MRSA Action UK recommends bleach-based laundry detergents and washing at high temperatures in this case.
Although Dettol Laundry Cleanser may not be necessary, some people do prefer to use it when washing at lower temperatures or cleaning delicate clothes just for additional peace of mind.
This product is also popular with mums and dads taking every possible precaution to keep their babies and kids safe from bad bacteria and dirt. However, some people argue that such products are usually unneccessary and that it’s fine just to wash clothes in regular detergent.
Can You Use Dettol Laundry Cleanser with Fabric Softener?
Dettol recommend using their Laundry Cleanser instead of fabric softener, not in addition to it. Dettol Laundry Cleanser is scented, so combining it with a fabric softener or conditioner will result in a mix of scents.
In The Wash is your guide to the best laundry and cleaning products, tips and tricks. Our mission is to solve the UK’s cleaning and laundry dilemmas!
