Sanitize durable fabrics with hot water

Wash towels, sheets, underwear, socks, and sturdy workout clothes in hot water (130°F / 54°C or higher) when odors persist through normal washing. Hot water kills bacteria embedded in fabric fibers that cause lingering smells.

Why It Works

Odor-causing bacteria form biofilms deep within fabric fibers that cold and warm water cannot fully penetrate. Temperatures above 130°F break down these biofilms and denature bacterial proteins, effectively sanitizing the fabric. This is why towels that still smell after a cold wash come out fresh after a hot one.

Tips

• Check care labels — only use hot water on fabrics rated for it (cotton, linen, sturdy polyester blends)
• Synthetic performance fabrics often cannot tolerate hot water — use an oxygen bleach soak instead
• One hot wash per week for towels and sheets prevents odor buildup
• Adding oxygen bleach to a hot wash provides maximum sanitizing power