Deanna M. Munson & Artyce Hedrick, Reducing bacteria in clothing and textiles, Kansas State University, July 1993

Artyce, Hedrick

Munson, Deanna M.

K-State Research Exchange

Kansas State University • Cooperative Extension Service • Manhattan, KansasReducing Bacteria inClothing and TextilesClothing and textiles that have been incontact with floodwater need to be sanitizedbecause floodwater may be contaminated withsewage wastes. Bacteria from floodwater canremain alive on fabrics for a long time. Adisinfectant destroys harmful bacteria. Fordisinfecting, use only products that display anEPA Registration Number on the label andhave laundering instructions for disinfecting.Wash items in small loads in full water levelsin your washing machine. Two types of disin-fectants are effective on fabrics. Use whicheveris appropriate for the particular fabric.Quaternary CompoundsQuaternary compounds are safe for fibers,will not damage wool or silk, but may causesome color change.• Common brands commonly available inKansas are Roccal1 and Zephrin1• Add at the beginning of the rinse cycle - 4tablespoons Roccal or 2 tablespoonsZephrin for top-loading automatics; 2tablespoons Roccal or 1 tablespoonZephrin for front-loading automatics.Quaternary compounds are available atdairy or janitorial supply houses or some drugstores.Chlorine BleachesLiquid chlorine bleaches are safe for mostfibers except wool, silk or resin-coated (water-proof or water repellant) fabrics, but may causecolor fading.• Be sure that your colors are colorfast,best on white fabrics.• Add bleach to water before putting inclothes or dilute bleach in 1 quart waterbefore adding to the wash cycle.• Use 1 cup in top loading automatics; 1/2cup in front loading automatics.• Do not use bleach in the rinse cycle.• Be certain that the percentage of hy-pochlorite is 5.25%. Read the label.• Some brands commonly available inKansas:Always Save Chlorine Bleach, PurexBleach1,Best Choice Bleach, Top Crest Bleach orFresh Scent Bleach, Blue Ribbon ChlorineBleach, Value Time Liquid Bleach, CloroxRegular or Fresh Scent Bleach1 (Bleach labeled“color safe” is not a chlorine bleach and will notsanitize.)Available in grocery stores, discount storesand hardware stores.The following cleaners willreduce bacteria, but notcompletely disinfect:Pine Oil CleanersPine oil cleaners are safe for washableclothing to help remove odors and help sani-tize. Do not use them on wool or silk becausethe pine odor will linger in these fabrics. Apine oil cleaner should be at least 70% pine oilto disinfect. The higher the percentage of pineoil (19% or above) the more bacteria they kill.Check for colorfastness by testing on ahidden area of the item.1Contain both EPA Registration Number andlaundry instructions for disinfecting.Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete.Cooperative Extension ServiceKansas State UniversityManhattan, KansasMF-1130             July 1993Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, asamended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, and United States Departmentof Agriculture Cooperating, Richard D. Wootton, Associate Director. All educational programsand materials available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,age, or disability.7-93-5M• Add pine oil at the beginning of the washcycle, preferably before the clothes are inthe machine. Otherwise, dilute in onequart water before adding to machine.• Use 1/2 cup with your regular detergent.• Some brands commonly available inKansas:King Pine, Pine Plus, Pine-So, Spic andSpan Pine, Lysol Pine Action, Pine Power,Real PineAvailable in grocery stores, discount stores,hardware stores and drug stores.Phenolic cleanersPhenolic cleaners are safe for washableclothing.• Avoid wool and silk, because the odor willremain.• Use 1 cup in a top loading automatics; 1/2cup plus 2 tablespoons in front loadingautomatics.• Add in either the wash or rinse cycle.• Common brands available in Kansas:Lysol Disinfectant Liquid Concentrated (aphenolic/quaternary mixture)Available in grocery and discount stores.Deanna Munson, Extension Textiles SpecialistArtyce Hedrick, Extension Clothing SpecialistOutdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete.

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