Best Practices for Sanitising Laundry During Flu Season or Illness

How to handle laundry during flu season

Flu season has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute it’s a sniffle, the next it’s tissues everywhere, extra blankets on the couch, and a growing pile of laundry that suddenly feels… suspicious.

When someone in your household is sick, whether it’s the flu, a cold, or a lingering bug, laundry becomes more than just a chore. It’s part of keeping everyone else healthy too.

The good news? You don’t need harsh chemicals or complicated routines to sanitise laundry properly. With the right temperatures, timing, and habits, you can clean clothes, bedding, and towels safely and effectively.

Here’s how to handle laundry during flu season without stress, panic, or unnecessary overkill.

Can Germs Live on Clothes?

Yes, but not forever. Viruses and bacteria can survive on fabrics for hours or even days, especially on items like:

• Towels
• Bed sheets
• Pyjamas
• Clothing worn close to the body

The risk increases when fabrics are damp, bundled up, or left sitting in baskets. That’s why how you wash and dry laundry during illness matters just as much as when you do it.

Separate Sick Laundry (When Possible)

If someone in your household is unwell, try to keep their laundry separate — at least while symptoms are active.

This includes:

• Bedding and pillowcases
• Towels and face washers
• Pyjamas and loungewear
• Clothes worn during the day

You don’t need a separate hamper forever, just a temporary system while the illness passes. Even a clearly labelled laundry bag works.

Tip: Avoid shaking dirty laundry. Shaking can spread germs into the air (and onto nearby surfaces).

Wash at the Right Temperature

Temperature is one of the most effective tools for sanitising laundry.

Recommended temperatures:

• 60°C or higher for towels, sheets, underwear, and pyjamas
• Warm to hot cycles for everyday clothing, where fabric allows

Heat helps deactivate viruses and bacteria, especially when combined with detergent.

Cold washes are great for energy saving and delicate garments, but during illness, warm or hot washes are best whenever fabrics can handle it.

Always check the care label first.

Use regular laundry detergent (Yes, Really)

The good news is you don’t need “antibacterial” or specialty disinfecting detergents for most situations! A standard laundry detergent, used correctly, is highly effective at removing:

• Germs
• Body oils
• Sweat
• Mucus and residue

What matters most is:

• Using the correct amount (not too little, not too much)
• Allowing a full wash cycle (avoid ultra-quick cycles for sick laundry)

Extra detergent doesn’t mean extra clean, it can actually trap residue in fabrics.

Dry Thoroughly (This Step Is Crucial)

If washing is step one, drying properly is step two. Bacteria and viruses thrive in moisture, so damp or half-dried clothes are not your friend.

Best practices:

• Use a dryer on medium to high heat where fabrics allow
• Ensure items are completely dry before folding or storing
• Avoid air-drying sick laundry indoors if ventilation is poor

Commercial dryers (like those at Laundrlab) are particularly effective here. High, consistent heat helps finish the sanitising process properly.

Don’t Forget High-Touch Fabrics

It’s easy to focus on clothes, but some of the most overlooked items carry the highest risk:

• Hand towels
• Tea towels
• Bath mats
• Couch blankets
• Reusable face masks

During illness, wash these items more frequently than usual. Ideally every 1–2 days.

When to Consider a Laundromat

During illness, energy is low and laundry piles up fast. This is where a laundromat can actually make things easier.

Using large, commercial machines allows you to:

• Wash bulky bedding in one go
• Use higher-capacity hot cycles
• Dry everything thoroughly and quickly
• Avoid damp clothes sitting around at home

It’s efficient, practical, and one less thing to manage when you’re already feeling under the weather.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with good intentions, these habits can reduce effectiveness:

• Washing sick laundry in cold water
• Overloading the machine
• Using quick or eco cycles for heavily soiled items
• Leaving clean laundry sitting wet in the machine
• Rewearing “mostly clean” clothes

When in doubt, heat + detergent + proper drying is the winning combo.

Final Thoughts

Laundry doesn’t need to be intimidating during flu season, it just needs a little extra intention.

By separating items, washing at the right temperature, drying thoroughly, and sticking to simple routines, you can keep your household feeling fresher and safer without harsh chemicals or unnecessary stress.

Clean laundry won’t cure the flu, but it does help reduce spread, support recovery, and bring a small sense of normality back into your day.

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