Experts weigh in on ‘best’ temperature to wash bedding to make it clean and germ-free

If you’re unsure on whether you should be washing your bed linen at 40 or 60 degrees, experts have had their say on how to ensure your sheets come out clean and free of bacteria

A couple who’ve just splashed out on a set of plush Egyptian cotton bed sheets have turned to social media for advice on the ideal washing temperature to guarantee they’re both clean and germ-free. Asking for help on Reddit, one half of the duo explained: “I went to wash them on 60 degrees as I normally do, but the other half checked the care label which says to wash on 40 degrees.”

They continued: “I still think 60 degrees is better to get rid of dust mites and the like, but other half wants the sheets to last as long as possible (and is a stickler for rules) so insists on 40 degrees.” And whilst accepting it’s “fine hygienically” at 40, the poster confessed: “I just feel that 60 is better.”

The query sparked a debate among hundreds of fellow Reddit users about the optimal washing machine settings for such a household chore. One contributor outlined their own approach, revealing: “Everything goes in the oven at 180 degrees. Everything goes in the dishwasher on eco mode. Everything goes in the microwave on high. Everything goes in the washing machine at 40 degrees.”

And a second person concurred, saying: “I wash everything on 40 or 30 degrees, including my very expensive Egyptian cotton bedding, and have done for many years. Washing it on 60 degrees is pointless if you don’t have to.”

However, many others championed a 60-degree wash, including one Reddit user who explained: “I am extremely infection-prone, so everything is washed at 60 degrees. Many of my things (from clothing to bedding) are very cheap and have washing instructions at 30 degrees, but I’ve never had anything get damaged in the wash and my things typically last many years (normally 10+ years), modern day fabrics and dyes are better at handling high temps than older products.”

Another person added: “I have Egyptian cotton bedding that all says to wash at 40… I have washed them at 60 degrees for the past four years. I don’t feel like bedsheets feel properly clean at 40 degrees.”

Meanwhile, a third reported: “I only use pure cotton bedding and normally at 60 degrees with towels. Now and again I do a hygiene wash on my machine at 90 degrees and have been known to bung them in on that for economy reasons. They’re fine. The buttons don’t melt or anything.”

Backing up the advice for higher temperatures, experts from Which? have also voiced their support online. “Many of us wash the bulk of our clothes at 40 degrees. But cooler or hotter temperatures may be best for some items,” they stated.

Which? comments on a 60-degree wash: “Think of 60 degrees as a hot wash. Washing at 60 degrees generally cleans slightly better than the 40-degree programme, especially on greasy stains. However, running costs increase by more than half.”

They further advise that 60 degrees is “ideal” for bedding and lighter-coloured towels. “These items get a lot of heavy use, so a hot wash helps to keep them in their best condition for as long as possible,” Which? clarified.

When it comes to germs, however, the experts highlight that some bacterial spores and viruses can even withstand 60-degree washes, so without an effective detergent, they won’t be eliminated from your fabrics.

Which? cites the NHS website, noting their recommendation for underwear, towels and household linen to be washed at 60 degrees to prevent the spread of germs, or at 40 degrees with a bleach-based laundry product.

The guidance concludes: “It says nothing about washing at as high as 90 degrees to kill bacteria. And while washing at such a high temperature should certainly help to banish stains, only use it when the fabric is robust enough to stand up to the heat. Always check the label.”

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