CLOTHING can contribute to the transmission of illness in your household.
While washing your laundy is obviously a vital form of defence, the exact temperature you select on your tumble dryer can prove just as important.
Certain viruses, including norovirus, can survive on fabrics for up to a month.
According to the experts at Beko, while bacteria will die at higher temperatures you don’t need to crank the dial up all the way.
Research suggests that 65 degrees-Celsius is the ideal setting to kill certain types of bacteria and viruses.
The longer your clothes are exposed to high temperatures, the more effective the process of breaking down microorganisms becomes.
Most household dryers reach up to 75 degrees-Celsius, which may be needed to tackle more stubborn pathogens, including certain strains of E. coli or influenza.
However, selecting 65 degrees proves sufficient for most cases and can help you cut down on energy costs.
It is important to note that not all dryers are the same, and different models may reach varying temperature levels.
You should also remember not all fabrics can withstand high heat, so exercise caution particularly when drying delicate items.
As well as selecting the right temperature, there are other steps you can take to maximise bacteria elimination while drying your laundry.
Make sure your clothes are exposed to heat for a sufficient amount of time, ensuring they are fully dry and not just warm.
You should also be careful not to overload your dryer as this reduces airflow, which can hinder the germ-killing process.
And you may also want to consider dryer sheets as theses are specially designed to add an extra layer of sanitisation to your clothes.
