Kill germs: 10 things to wash in hot water to stop odors

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• Why heat matters: how hot water kills microbes and when to pick it
• Bathroom linens: towels, floor mats, and bath rugs that need hot washing
• Bedding and sleeping gear: keep sheets and pillowcases sanitary
• Underwear, socks, and base layers: garments to always wash hot
• Kitchen towels and sponges: sanitize the busiest cleaning tools
• Activewear and gym gear: banish odor and bacteria with heat
• Children’s and baby clothes: when to choose hot cycles for safety
• Pet bedding and washable pet items: prevent cross-contamination
• Clothes used by someone who is ill: isolate and sanitize laundry
• Outdoor gear and soiled clothing: remove soil, pollen, and microbes with heat
• What to do when laundry sits too long: rewash on hot to remove mildew and odors

Deciding between cold and hot cycles can feel like a trade-off between saving energy and keeping things sanitary. When the goal is to remove bacteria, viruses, and stubborn smells, hot water often wins. Below are the items that really benefit from heat — and clear tips on how to treat them without wrecking your wardrobe.

Why heat matters: how hot water kills microbes and when to pick it

Hot water weakens and destroys many bacteria and viruses that survive in fabric. For effective sanitizing, aim for water temperatures above 140°F (60°C). Machines with a sanitize cycle will reach these levels. If your washer lacks one, choose the highest safe setting for the fabric.

• Hot washes use more energy and can fade or wear textiles faster.
• Check garment care labels and use the highest temperature the fabric allows.
• When in doubt, run a sanitize cycle or add a laundry disinfectant per product instructions.

Bathroom linens: towels, floor mats, and bath rugs that need hot washing

Bathroom fabrics contact damp skin and wet floors, making them breeding grounds for mildew and bacteria. Towels and bath mats pick up soap residue, skin cells, and microbes.

• Wash bath towels and mats regularly on a hot cycle to kill hidden germs.
• Dry thoroughly on high heat or in sunlight to reduce mildew risk.
• Replace older, heavily worn mats that retain odors despite washing.

Bedding and sleeping gear: keep sheets and pillowcases sanitary

Nightly sweat, saliva, and shed skin seed bedding with microbes. Sheets and pillowcases should be cleaned often to lower allergens and odors.

• Wash sheets weekly in hot water when fabric care permits.
• Blankets and duvet covers: aim for monthly hot washes, or more during illness.
• Use hot water to reduce dust mites and bacteria on mattresses and sleep textiles.

Underwear, socks, and base layers: garments to always wash hot

Undergarments touch intimate areas and trap sweat and oils. These items deserve the most hygienic treatment.

• Wash underwear, socks, and undershirts on the hottest safe setting after each wear.
• For delicate bras, use a mesh bag and choose the highest safe temperature.
• Replace elastics and garments that lose shape after repeated hot washes.

Kitchen towels and sponges: sanitize the busiest cleaning tools

The kitchen is a contamination hotspot. Towels and sponges come into contact with food residue and raw surfaces.

• Clean kitchen towels and reusable cloths every one to two days on a hot cycle.
• Sponges should be sanitized frequently or replaced; some can be boiled, microwaved, or washed hot if the material allows.
• Consider a separate laundry load for heavily soiled kitchen items.

Activewear and gym gear: banish odor and bacteria with heat

Sweat-wicking fabrics can hold odors because they trap oils and microbes. Workout clothes pick up germs at the gym too.

• Wash activewear in hot water when the fabric label permits to reduce odor-causing bacteria.
• Turn items inside out and use a detergent designed for workout fabrics.
• Dry on higher heat when possible, unless the fabric specifies air dry only.

Children’s and baby clothes: when to choose hot cycles for safety

Kids’ clothing collects germs at school, daycare, and outdoors. Baby garments also encounter food, spit-up, and diaper-related soils.

• Use a hot cycle for baby clothes and kids’ laundry when fabrics permit.
• Wash items used during illness separately on a sanitize cycle.
• Use gentle detergents formulated for sensitive skin if needed.

Pet bedding and washable pet items: prevent cross-contamination

Pets carry outdoor bacteria, parasites, and dander into the home. Their beds and blankets can transfer those microbes to household textiles.

• Wash pet beds, blankets, and washable toys on a hot cycle to remove germs and odors.
• Clean leashes and collars regularly; most can handle hot water but check labels.
• Brush pets outdoors to reduce indoor shedding between washes.

Clothes used by someone who is ill: isolate and sanitize laundry

When household members are sick, their clothing and linens are likely contaminated. Hot washing cuts transmission risk.

• Wash the sick person’s laundry separately on the hottest safe setting.
• Use a full hot wash and high-heat drying cycle for best results.
• Handle soiled laundry with gloves and avoid shaking items to limit airborne germs.

Outdoor gear and soiled clothing: remove soil, pollen, and microbes with heat

Pants and shirts used for hiking, gardening, or yard work collect dirt, pollen, and animal microbes. These can hitch a ride into your home.

• Run outdoor clothes through a hot wash soon after returning home.
• Pre-rinse heavily soiled items to protect the washer and improve cleaning.
• Inspect pockets and folds where organic debris tends to hide.

What to do when laundry sits too long: rewash on hot to remove mildew and odors

Wet laundry left in a hamper or washer can develop mold, mildew, and strong odors. Heat is the easiest way to recover the load.

• If clothes smell musty after sitting, rewash them on a hot sanitize cycle.
• Add a cup of white vinegar or a laundry disinfectant if the odor persists.
• Dry items thoroughly and clean your washer drum to prevent repeats.