The simple answer to this question is that yes, you absolutely can put disinfectant into your washing machine. There are two key reasons that disinfectant may be necessary with regards to your washing machine, and those reasons will be listed below.
Using Disinfectant to Remove Unpleasant Smells from the Washing Machine
If there is an unpleasant odour emanating from your washing machine, it may mean that there is a combination of mould, mildew, and bacteria gathering in your machine and creating a stinky problem that you want to prevent from worsening any further.
An easy solution to this would be to soak a clean cloth in a solution made up of a capful of your favourite disinfectant mixed with a cup of water.
Use this soaked cloth to thoroughly wipe down the exterior of your washing machine to remove any traces of mildew or mould that may have made it to the outside.
For the inside of your machine, add two capfuls of your disinfectant to the empty drum of your machine, and then run your machine on a hot cycle to ensure that the disinfectant fully tackles any bacteria or lingering smells.
Vinegar is also an effective disinfectant and is brilliant at removing any smells that may be coming from your washing machine.
However, it is best not to use vinegar as a disinfectant too frequently as it will eventually begin to corrode the rubber parts of your machine. This will cause leaks and other potentially serious problems with your machine.
Using Disinfectant to Disinfect Your Clothes
There are many reasons that you may need to disinfect your clothes and using your washing machine is a simple and effective way to do so.
Many clothing items can pick up dirt and grime even on a normal day so it can be beneficial to wash them with disinfectant regularly to ensure they are fully clean and bacteria-free.
Vinegar also works in this case, and it may surprise you that your clothes will come out smelling fresh and clean if you use it alongside your usual products, and your items will not reek of vinegar.
In addition, vinegar is known to both soften and brighten fabrics, including both white and coloured items.
Add your disinfectant right at the beginning of your wash cycle and be sure to run a hot cycle when possible.
If you are wanting to run a cold cycle, try to use a chlorine disinfectant, which would be one that contains sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach), but be sure to only do this with a white clothing wash.
Conclusion
Disinfectants are incredibly useful in the washing machine as they will remove any germs in the machine itself, as well as on any clothing you may want to give an extra intensive clean.
It can be used on all types of garments and can be put into your machine alongside your normal detergent and fabric softener without causing any negative changes to the results, while simultaneously destroying up to 99.9% of the bacteria on your clothes.
An adventurous book lover with an animal obsession and a proclivity for travel and spontaneity. Used to passionately despise cleaning but has grown to enjoy it thanks to learning all the best tricks and shortcuts to guaranteeing a stress-free routine and a spotless home.
