Honestly? No — not if you regularly wash at 60°C or higher.
A hot wash is usually enough to kill bacteria and deal with everyday dirt.
But if you mostly wash on cold or low temperatures, then using a laundry sanitizer can be helpful — especially for things like towels, gym clothes, or anything that stays damp for a while.
You don’t need both all the time. It really comes down to how you wash, not how “clean” you’re trying to be.
Personally, I do use laundry sanitizer at times – let me explain when I use it, and why.
Why it feels like there’s always a new product
Laundry sanitizer has become one of those things that sounds suddenly… essential.
It’s marketed as if:
- Your clothes aren’t properly clean without it
- Cold washes don’t really work
- You’re missing something everyone else is already doing
And when you’re already trying to juggle energy costs, time, and a never-ending laundry pile, it can feel like one more thing you’re supposed to add.
Especially when older generations managed just fine without it.
The truth is, laundry hasn’t changed that much — the way it’s talked about has.
Cold washes are more common now, energy efficiency matters more, and products have popped up to fill that gap.
That doesn’t mean you need everything.
It just means you need to understand when something helps — and when it’s unnecessary.
Where laundry sanitiser does make sense
Laundry sanitiser is designed to work without heat.
So it can be useful if you:
- Mostly wash at 20–30°C
- Do quick or eco cycles
- Wash sportswear, leggings, or synthetic fabrics
- Have clothes that get sweaty and hang around damp
In those cases, sanitiser helps reduce bacteria that cold water alone might not fully deal with.
It’s not about being extra clean — it’s about balancing lower temperatures.
Cold washes aren’t bad (they’re actually pretty smart)
Cold washing gets a bad reputation, but there are real benefits.
Why people choose cold washes
- They use less energy
- They cost less to run
- They’re gentler on clothes
- Colours fade less
- Fabrics last longer
For everyday clothing — jeans, tops, jumpers — cold washes are usually enough.
The issue isn’t cold washing itself.
It’s expecting cold water to do the same job as heat without adjusting anything else.
That’s where sanitizer can help if you need it.
You don’t need sanitizer for everything
This is where it’s easy to overdo it.
You probably don’t need laundry sanitizer for:
- Lightly worn clothes
- Items that aren’t sweaty or damp
- Clothes you already wash hot
- Every single load
Using it occasionally is plenty.
It’s a support tool — not a requirement.
A realistic, low-effort way to decide
If you want a simple rule that doesn’t involve overthinking:
- Wash at 60°C?
→ No sanitizer needed - Mostly cold washes?
→ Use sanitizer sometimes, not always - Towels, gym clothes, damp smells?
→ Sanitizer can help - Everyday clothes?
→ Cold wash alone is usually fine
That’s it. No complicated system.
You’re not doing laundry “wrong”
If you’ve never used laundry sanitizer before, you haven’t failed at hygiene.
Most of us grew up without it.
People managed just fine.
Laundry routines change because:
- Energy costs change
- Machines change
- Marketing gets louder
You don’t need to chase perfection.
You just need a routine that works for your life.
If hot washes fit your budget and schedule — great.
If cold washes help you save money and clothes — also great.
Laundry sanitiser is optional, not essential.
