6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (2024)

6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (1)

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Living through a global pandemic has had everyone thinking about ways to make their lives a little bit more hygienic. One of the biggest reconsiderations has been how we clean our clothing—and if the way we were washing it before was truly getting it clean. If you haven't already added a laundry sanitizer to your washing routine, now is a great time to start. Sanitizers will not only help kill the germs on your clothing, but they can help keep your clothes feeling, smelling, and looking fresh, too.

The Best Laundry Sanitizers

What to Consider

There are a few key factors to consider before purchasing a laundry sanitizer.

The most important consideration to make is which ingredients you need and which you'd rather do without. Many sanitizers use chemicals like bleach and chlorine, as well as scents that can be hard on sensitive skin. If you are prone to skin irritation—or you simply want a more natural product—look for a sanitizer that is fragrance-free and forgoes the bleach. Although most sanitizers are designed to be used alongside detergent, some are formulated with detergent, making laundry time an easy, one-and-done situation, product-wise. Even easier than liquid sanitizers are pod detergents, which you don't even have to measure.

Finally, you will want to consider the cleaning power of the laundry sanitizer you're eyeing. While all sanitizers are designed to deep-clean your clothes, not all of them have the same germ-fighting power. If you're looking for a germ-free result, make sure the formula you're considering explicitly states that it kills 99.9 percent of germs.

How We Selected

To find the best options among the many laundry sanitizers out there, we researched the most popular formulas available. We looked at expert-tested reviews from sources like Good Housekeeping and CNN. We then took into account price, volume, germ-fighting power, ingredients, and ease of use. Finally, we consulted more than 54,000 reviews, written by people who’ve bought these sanitizers on sites like Amazon and Walmart, to settle on the ones you'll find below.

Looking for a gentler clean? Check out our favorite laundry detergents for sensitive skin.

1

Best Overall

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive

6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (8)

1

Best Overall

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive

Pros
  • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (9)Affordable
  • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (10)Kills 99.9% of germs
  • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (11)Color-safe
Cons

    This is strictly a sanitizer, so you will need to use it alongside detergent to get your laundry fully clean, but it definitely does its job, according to the 65,000 5-star reviews it has on Amazon. It doesn't use bleach, so it's safe for use on clothing of all colors, but it still manages to kill up to 99.9 percent of germs—even when used with cold water. And while it's tough enough to use on your dirtiest workout clothes, it's also safe enough for baby clothes.

    2

    Best Natural

    Charlie's Soap Oxygen Powered Bleach Powder

    6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (12)

    2

    Best Natural

    Charlie's Soap Oxygen Powered Bleach Powder

    Pros
    • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (13)Eco-friendly
    • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (14)Great for sensitive skin
    • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (15)No harsh chemicals
    Cons

      If you aren't keen on using chemicals, try this natural option instead. It uses chlorine-free oxygen bleach to get your clothes feeling clean and soft by releasing peroxide and oxygen to tackle stains, odors, and keep your colors bright, and whites white. It is fragrance-free—making it great for sensitive skin—and can be used on all clothing colors. Plus, the lack of harsh chemicals makes it better for the environment.

      3

      Best Commercial

      Quality Chemical Laundry Sanitizer

      6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (16)

      3

      Best Commercial

      Quality Chemical Laundry Sanitizer

      Pros
      • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (17)Cost-effective
      • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (18)Bleach-free
      • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (19)Color-safe
      Cons

        This may seem like an excessive amount of sanitizer, but if you do a lot of laundry, it will go faster than you think. This sanitizer effectively removes dirt, odors, and germs from even your grimiest clothing. It doesn't contain bleach, so it can be used time after time without worries of it weakening or lightening your clothes. It doesn't include detergent either, though, so you will have to add your own to get your clothes fully clean.

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        4

        Best Wash-Free

        Tide Fabric Spray

        6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (20)

        4

        Best Wash-Free

        Tide Fabric Spray

        Pros
        • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (21)Easy on fabrics
        • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (22)Odor-fighting
        Cons

          If you don't have time to throw your clothes in the laundry, you can opt for this spray, which works quickly and effectively. It kills up to 99.9 percent of germs and fights odor-causing bacteria without being too harsh on fabrics. This is also a great option for dry-clean-only fabrics if you need to sanitize them before you get a chance to have them professionally cleaned.

          5

          Best Spray

          Clorox 2 Bleach-Free Fabric Sanitizer

          6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (23)

          5

          Best Spray

          Clorox 2 Bleach-Free Fabric Sanitizer

          Pros
          • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (24)Easy to use
          • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (25)Won’t weaken clothes
          Cons

            This spray sanitizer is great for pinpointing areas you want to clean without taking a toll on the entirety of your clothing. It kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and effectively removes stains, too. Designed to be used before laundry, it is color-safe and compatible with all washing machines. Plus it is one of the most cost-effective laundry sanitizers on the market, costing under $5 per bottle.

            6

            Best Pods

            Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Power PODS

            6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (26)

            6

            Best Pods

            Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Power PODS

            Pros
            • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (27)No measuring
            • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (28)Detergent included
            • 6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (29)Fresh scent
            Cons

              Pods are always easier to use than their liquid counterparts—and they can work just as well. These Tide Pods are designed with three parts: a stain remover, color protector, and detergent. These sanitizing agents remove both visible and invisible dirt, ensuring that your clothes come out feeling, smelling, and looking clean. These have a fresh, clean scent that will make you look forward to laundry day.

              6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (30)

              Gabrielle Hondorp

              Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.

              6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See (2024)

              FAQs

              6 Best Laundry Sanitizers That Clean the Dirt You Can’t See? ›

              Regular washing with laundry detergent will remove some germs and bacteria, but to "sanitize" laundry means to use high temperatures or chemicals to kill 99.9 percent of germs, like OxiClean Laundry and Home Sanitizer, which also works as a great mold remover.

              Do laundry sanitizers really work? ›

              Regular washing with laundry detergent will remove some germs and bacteria, but to "sanitize" laundry means to use high temperatures or chemicals to kill 99.9 percent of germs, like OxiClean Laundry and Home Sanitizer, which also works as a great mold remover.

              What is the best disinfectant for laundry? ›

              Chlorine Bleach. Chlorine bleach is the gold standard for germ killing. Adding 1/2 cup of bleach to a large load of laundry is recommended for disinfecting.

              How do you disinfect dirty laundry? ›

              Distilled White Vinegar

              From cleaning to deodorizing, white vinegar is a safe, natural product that has many practical uses around the house—and it's a powerful laundry disinfectant, too. Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle when you want to sanitize a load of laundry.

              Does vinegar sanitize laundry? ›

              White Vinegar

              To use vinegar to disinfect your laundry, try adding 1 cup to the rinse cycle. Not only can it kill germs and bacteria, but it's also a great natural deodorizer. White vinegar can be used on colors and whites, keeping clothes bright, and works as an effective fabric softener, too.

              Does OxiClean sanitize laundry? ›

              OxiClean™ Laundry & Home Sanitizer kills 99.9% of bacteria & viruses around the home, including laundry, couches, carpets, tile & more.

              Can I put laundry sanitizer directly in washer? ›

              To kill bacteria, use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the fabric softener compartment or pour directly into the rinse cycle. Use two caps filled to the correct line for your machine. To disinfect, pre-soak with laundry sanitizer.

              How do hospitals sanitize laundry? ›

              Hot water washing at a temperature of at least 160°F is advisable. You can use a steam jet during this process. The laundry should be dried and pressed before being transported back to the facility. Be sure the items are well packaged before transportation to prevent contamination from dust and dirt.

              What kills bacteria in laundry? ›

              The Best Way to Clean Clothes

              To kill the germs in your laundry, wash your clothes on the hot cycle, then put everything in the dryer for 45 minutes. Wash whites with bleach, and use peroxide or color-safe bleach for colors. Do your laundry in water that's at least 140 F to kill any viruses or bacteria.

              How to sanitize bed sheets? ›

              Sanitizing towels and bed sheets

              To wash bleach-safe bed sheets and towels, machine wash in the hottest water recommended using a good detergent and ⅔ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a traditional deep-fill washer, or ⅓ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a high efficiency clothes washer.

              How do you disinfect laundry from fungus? ›

              Use Hot Water for Infected Laundry

              Use hot water (140°F or 60°C) and your regular detergent for infected laundry. Lower temperatures will not kill the fungus and can transfer spores to other fabrics in the same load. For white cotton socks, you can use chlorine bleach along with hot water to disinfect the fabric.

              Is it safe to use hydrogen peroxide in laundry? ›

              It's safe for use on most fabrics. Just spot-test any materials you need clarification on to play it safe. Easy to Incorporate into Your Laundry Routine: Lastly, adding hydrogen peroxide is straightforward. You can use it as a pre-treatment for stains or add it to your washing machine during the rinse cycle.

              Will borax disinfect laundry? ›

              Borax is effective to kill germs, bacteria and other organisms. It is a disinfectant, biocide, insecticide, pesticide, herbicide and fungicide. Just one more reason to add it to a load of laundry. We know how tough tomato, mustard, grease and oil stains in clothing and towels can be.

              What happens if you use vinegar and laundry detergent together? ›

              Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

              What are the cons of using vinegar in laundry? ›

              However, vinegar in laundry shouldn't be a routine addition because it can cause damage to washing machines. In addition, certain fabrics should not be overly exposed to vinegar, and there are laundry products it shouldn't be combined with.

              Does Lysol laundry sanitizer work? ›

              It's gentle and doesn't harm the fabric, while still ensuring thorough sanitization. Eliminates Odors Effectively: Beyond just sanitizing, it's great at eliminating tough odors. Whether it's sweat, pet smells, or cooking odors, my clothes always come out of the wash smelling fresh.

              Does laundry detergent actually disinfect? ›

              It's natural to think that, once you throw your laundry into the washing machine or dryer, it's going to become 100% clean. Unfortunately, laundry detergent alone isn't enough to kill harmful germs.

              Should I sanitize my laundry? ›

              The simple answer is that you should use sanitize cycles when you are washing items that might carry extra bacteria, such as towels, workout clothing or bedding.

              Does antibacterial laundry detergent work? ›

              Antibacterial laundry products

              It claims to kill bacteria and some viruses as well (when clothes are soaked). But while it's true bacteria and viruses can survive on clothes, there's not much evidence that people actually get infections from clothes.

              Is Lysol laundry sanitizer good to use? ›

              It's gentle and doesn't harm the fabric, while still ensuring thorough sanitization. Eliminates Odors Effectively: Beyond just sanitizing, it's great at eliminating tough odors. Whether it's sweat, pet smells, or cooking odors, my clothes always come out of the wash smelling fresh.

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