The best temperature to wash sheets to kill bacteria – and it’s not 60 or 90 degrees

THERE’S NO better feeling than slipping into clean sheets, and as the weather warms up, they need to be washed more regularly.

Fabulous spoke exclusively to Olivia Young, product development scientist at Surpriseabout the best temperature to wash bed linen and ensure it is hygienically clean.

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She also shared her top laundry tips and products.

How often should sheets/bedding be washed?

Olivia said: “Washing your bed linen should be on your weekly cleaning to-do list.

“It may seem a bit extreme, but washing your sheets once a week is the best approach to keeping them spotless and free from dirt.

“Our bodies shed millions of skin cells daily, so we need to make sure that the place where we rest and recover after a long day is not acting as a ‘hotspot’ for bacteria and germs to grow.”

She added: “Neglecting to wash your sheets allows dirt, body oils, dead skin cells and sweat to build up night after night, which doesn’t make for a more pleasant sleeping environment.

“If that wasn’t enough to get you to change your bedding, dirty sheets can also seriously mess up your skin and cause health problems over time.

“Therefore, it is very important that you have a good weekly cleaning routine.

“And after all, there’s nothing better than clean bedding after a long week!”

What temperature should you wash bedding?

“Traditionally, high temperatures were recommended for washing bedding and towels, normally around 60°C or even higher,” explained the expert.

“The reason for this initial recommendation was because it was believed to be the only way to effectively kill bacteria and remove stains and dirt.

“This may have been true many years ago, however, there have been such significant advances in both washing machines and detergent technology that this is no longer necessarily the case.”

Olivia added: “Advice on washing bedding, sheets and towels has changed to recommend that lower temperatures, between 30-50 degrees, will work as effectively as higher temperatures.

“Overall, it is considered a more efficient, cost-effective and fabric-friendly approach without compromising cleanliness and hygiene [to wash at a lower temperature].

“Choosing the right temperature to wash your items will ultimately depend on the fabric, the stains present and the last time you washed them!”

You should choose a medium heat setting for towels and bedding.

Add a laundry cleaner

But if you want to save money and lower the temperature of your wash, consider using a laundry cleaner as it will hygienically clean your bedding without the need for hot water.

Olivia explained: “Opt for a laundry cleaner as it promises to kill 99.9% of bacteria – like Astonish Protect + Care Laundry Cleaner.

“The product starts at just £2.50 and is available from a range of retailers, making it an affordable solution to ensuring your bed linen and towels are free of germs and bacteria.

“Opting for a cleaner that kills bacteria at lower temperatures is especially important if you haven’t changed your bedding or towels in a while!

How to use Protect + Care Laundry Cleaner

Can be used in two ways, for machine washing or for soaking

Machine wash: Add four capfuls to the fabric softener drawer of your washing machine.

Wash normally using your normal washing powder.

Immersion: Add two capfuls to 2.5L of water at 20°C.

Disperse fully, add wash items and soak for 10 minutes.

In terms of temperature, it will work up to 20 degrees to clean and protect.

“Simply add four capfuls to your washing machine’s fabric softener drawer to give your sheets and towels what they truly deserve – long-lasting freshness and comforting softness.

“Anything above 20°C will work to properly clean your items and leave you with rejuvenated, bacteria-free sheets and towels.”

“Everyday clothes like tops, dresses and pants can be washed at even lower temperatures than bedding and towels,” she said.

“The reason for this is that, generally speaking, your everyday clothes and clothing don’t harbor as much bacteria as towels or bedding, which means a low temperature will be enough to keep them clean and fresh.

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“20-30 degrees will do – as long as you use a detergent that kills 99.9% of bacteria, even at low temperatures.

“And washing other clothes at lower temperatures can reduce environmental impact, save energy and money, and extend the useful life of your items.”

How often should towels be washed?

Olivia said: “It’s alarming to know how often some people wash their towels – or rather, how often they don’t!

“If left unwashed, your towels can begin to harbor bacteria, resulting in unpleasant odors, as well as potential skin problems if you fail to clean them regularly.

“Leaving your towels unwashed for months simply shouldn’t be an option.

Try to clean your bath towels after every three uses.

Olivia Young

“Kitchen cloths should be cleaned at least once a week.”

She added: “An important tip for keeping your towels soft and fluffy is to make sure you don’t put too much stuff in the washing machine.

“If you do this, the towels will stick together, which creates the stiff, itchy feeling once they dry.

“To avoid this, wash your towels with light to medium loads – ideally just two/three medium-sized towels at a time.

“This will ensure they can be sufficiently agitated and rinsed, and they will be soft.”