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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
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Best Spray
Clorox 2 Bleach-Free Fabric Sanitizer
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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.
Pros
Affordable
Kills 99.9% of germs
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.
Pros
Eco-friendly
Great for sensitive skin
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.
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Best Commercial
Quality Chemical Laundry Sanitizer
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Best Commercial
Quality Chemical Laundry Sanitizer
Pros
Cost-effective
Bleach-free
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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Pros
Easy on fabrics
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.
Pros
Easy to use
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.
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Best Pods
Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Power PODS
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Best Pods
Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Power PODS
Pros
No measuring
Detergent included
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.
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.