Problem with bedding

I have eczema with quite bad flare ups and have always washed everything at 40 degrees with no problem and line dry whenever possible. The only thing I don't use is fabric conditioner and never had a problem with towels etc feeling hard. I just don't understand why people use conditioner to make clothes smell nice. We don't sniff clothes when buying and don't expect them to smell of flowers or whatever hanging on the rails in shops.

I wash at 60 because I want to limit the number of harsh chemicals I need to get clothes clean.

When you consider the amount of energy needed to manufacture the chemicals used in washing products and stain removers and fabric softeners, and to then formulate them etc. You might as well just do your washing at 60 using a soap based detergent and make life so much simpler.

@petra well the human race is gradually imploding 😂

I like to scald dish towels and dish cloths after they are washed. It's a nuisance, but a good old scald in boiling water must just about sterilise them.

I was lying in bed this morning and wondering about bedding and laundry. The sheets were changed yesterday and I normally change them weekly.

So googled laundry and bedding😮😮

Sheets weeks or once every 3-4 days if shared with pet.
Duvet covers every 2 weeks
Mattress hoovered thoroughly every week and replaced every 7 years
Pillows and duvets washed monthly.

Blimey - the only thing I do there is sheets weekly. They are white so go in at a hot wash to keep them white and to get rid of mites etc.

Everything else is longer in between, and in the mattresses case much longer - it was extremely expensive and still very comfortable.

My bedroom must be a mites paradise according to that programme which I have totally failed at!

Thankyou all for your comments. I have used the same detergent for years as it doesn't cause me any problems but I have now done a bit if research and have found one formulated specially for very low temperature washes and sensitive skin so I will try that.

2507C0

Your clothes pick up dust, germs, oils and fats and any smoke and moisture in the air so no, no all the germs your clothes have on them are from your own skin. Unfortunately 🦠.

It’s a miracle that the human race has survived as long as it has, isn’t it with all these germs attacking us.
Ah, but hang on, we have this wonderful thing called our immune system. 🤷‍♀️

I don't wash over 40, but line dry. Certainly wouldn't double was anything especially at 60.

Cold washes only here! No problems.

Mt61

That’s a little overkill!

Sunglow12

That’s a little overkill!

Your clothes pick up dust, germs, oils and fats and any smoke and moisture in the air so no, no all the germs your clothes have on them are from your own skin. Unfortunately 🦠.

Mt61

sunglow12

Don’t know about bamboo but do double wash all my bedding and towels at 60 and that includes silk pillow cases that are fine after many washes !

What is a double wash?

Washing twice? 🤷‍♀️

sunglow12

Don’t know about bamboo but do double wash all my bedding and towels at 60 and that includes silk pillow cases that are fine after many washes !

What is a double wash?

Geordiegirl1

I think the washing machine benefits from a good hot wash going through from time to time.

Definitely I do a hot cleaning programme every month.

I think the washing machine benefits from a good hot wash going through from time to time.

There is such an obsession with cleanliness nowadays. If it's not washing detergents its washing up liquid, surface cleaners, floor cleaners, soaps, body cleansers. 30° is sufficient for most washing even woollen but a gentler wash. We live in homes, not hospital wards. Had a bamboo mattress cover when DH was being cared for at home, really good is someone is sweaty. Washed at 30° no problem.

No one has ever become ill from washing at 30*

I am probably being stupid, but if our underwear etc. carry bacteria, they have probably come from our bodies in the first place, no? What is the point of washing such things at 60° unless we are going to bathe ourselves at a similar temperature (and perhaps in the same detergents)?

Lahlah65

This is what a Which article says 'The NHS website states that you should wash underwear, towels and household linen at 60°C to prevent the spread of germs or at 40°C with a bleach-based laundry product (we suggest bio washing powder)'.
The Dettol product was mentioned as an alternative.
I wash cotton towels and bed linen at 60 if anyone has been unwell. And tea towels, dusters etc at 60 all the time.

My underwear would fall apart on a 60° wash.
I shower and change all underwear daily, 30° or 40° is enough for my smalls.

This is what a Which article says 'The NHS website states that you should wash underwear, towels and household linen at 60°C to prevent the spread of germs or at 40°C with a bleach-based laundry product (we suggest bio washing powder)'.
The Dettol product was mentioned as an alternative.
I wash cotton towels and bed linen at 60 if anyone has been unwell. And tea towels, dusters etc at 60 all the time.

I wash everything @ 30deg,not a problem

My bamboo bedding is washed in a general coloureds cycle at 30°. It's in perfect condition. So silky soft.

30 degrees nowadays is a normal wash programme for items of this nature, though I do like to wash my face cloths, towels and underwear at 40 degrees.
I do understand your hesitancy though, as you mentioned a sensitive wash cycle, which are normally a lot shorter and meant for silk or wool items. It sounds like you would want to put it on a longer cycle as with most items ( sheets included) and I agree with you. Are you sure it’s a sensitive wash cycle they are saying it needs?

I think washing at 30 degrees should be fine. I presume that there is only you and possible one other that share the bedding so what are the chances of catching something ?