E-coli in your washing machine?

**AmyMCGS** · 05-29-2008, 09:05 PM

I know a lot of frugal folks use only cold water in the laundry to save money on their water bills. This is one of those frugal steps I've never been able to take, myself-- I've always felt there are just certain items (underwear, in particular) that need hot or at least warm water washes in order for me to feel that they are really clean.

Well, it turns out that even water temperature isn't enough to kill some cooties-- check out this article on the Blissfully Domestic blog about e-coli in washing machines. Ick!! :surprise:

**frugalfriend** · 05-29-2008, 09:15 PM

I've heard this before, so gross!

I do use hot water and bleach for whites, and hot water for sheets & towels.

**cissylu** · 05-29-2008, 10:27 PM

yuck ! I`ve never heard of this before. I`m one that uses cold water.
I`ll just have to change my way`s.

**HandyMom** · 05-29-2008, 10:38 PM

So if dryers kill more germs, what does hanging clothes on a clothesline do? Nothing? hmmm

**Momof3girls** · 05-29-2008, 11:21 PM

Oh gross! I am glad I use hot water and bleach for whites!
I wonder if sunlight kills anything?

**mom2matty** · 05-29-2008, 11:33 PM

Yuck! I've never been able to do cold water in my whites, towels or sheets! I've always used hot water!!

**Palooka** · 05-30-2008, 02:37 AM

Er, my mom taught me to wash in warm or hot water. I never wash in cold for anything....so far..

But she always hung her clothes on the line. I am a dryer person.

**PrairieRose** · 05-30-2008, 09:52 AM

I use hot water and bleach and OXICLEAN (sorry, couldn't help myself...that guy and his yelling....) in my towels, sheets and whites, colored underwear.... I know we're not ever gonna kill all the germies but ya can't fault a girl for tryin'

**baxjul** · 05-30-2008, 09:54 AM

I do wash towels and undies in hot water, but all the rest in cold.

**geckoace** · 05-30-2008, 10:01 AM

i wash some in cold and some in hot, but i periodically spritz my machine with diluted bleach for this reason, im sure its not saving us but i figure every llittle bit helps. maybe a drop of tea tree oil in the wash not enough to ruin stuff but enough to kill germs i dunno

also line drying, doesnt the sun kill some germs?

**Izzy0906** · 05-30-2008, 10:04 AM

I use hot water & bleach for whites & I use Colorox2 for colors for all others.

**ladykemma2** · 05-30-2008, 03:16 PM

ok, all you germophobes, ain't gonna kill 'ya!

don't worry about it! ain't dead yet....

don't kill your immune system by making things too clean. let your kids roll around in the dirt, don't use antibacterial products.

**hippytreehugger4ever** · 05-30-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by AmyMCGS

I know a lot of frugal folks use only cold water in the laundry to save money on their water bills. This is one of those frugal steps I've never been able to take, myself-- I've always felt there are just certain items (underwear, in particular) that need hot or at least warm water washes in order for me to feel that they are really clean.

Well, it turns out that even water temperature isn't enough to kill some cooties-- check out this article on the Blissfully Domestic blog about e-coli in washing machines. Ick!! :surprise:

I usually add 1/2 a cup of vinegar to the wash instead of fabric softener, so I'm not too worried about it.

**rudypoo98** · 05-30-2008, 06:29 PM

I have always used bleach to kill germs in the kitchen,bathroom and laundry.I also have a spray bottle with bleach and water to spray the drains.Saw that on Montel.