Yes you did. Being on a Mobile I can't type out the specifics, but with the amount you used (correct) and contact time, it had a chance.

Agreed with Mitch. Half cup is what's recommended for top loaders and toward the end of the cycle.

Thank you Mich and George, I know chlorine gets added at the end of the wad h I just wanted to make sure it wad long enough lol

Mama, I use Great Value LCB and the directions state 1. before adding clothes, mix1/2 cup of bleach with water in top loading 16 gallon machines then it gives directions for FL.( Well we know you do not add bleach in the beginning of the cycle). With my SQ, supposed to use 31 gallons for a load, I figure 1/2 is enough. I used to use 2/3 cup but have since read the the directions. Most bleaches are concentrated now so it shouldn't require as much as in the past.

Hi Mama, so sorry to hear the kiddos are sick! I am not sure exactly what the answer to your question is. My reference book says "to disinfect laundry ... 1 cup bleach for each 16 gallons of water and soak for 10 minutes...."

Beagle: The bleach directions should also say to wait till the last 5 minutes of wash time, then add your bleach. By adding when it is filling before clothes, it kills the benefits of the detergent you are using. That is why automatic bleach dispensers wait till the very last or the first rinse in some front loaders, before they add the bleach. This way, you get the full benefit of the detergent enzymes and the bleach also.

I actually read an article about people using laundromat machines and worrying about germs leftover from previous uses. Article said if you would add 1/4 cup bleach at beginning of cycle(in this case you can have either enzymes or germs I guess LOL) that the 1/4 cup would kill all the germs present in the machine. Also read even 1 Tablespoon full would do the same in a font loader. They said this amount including 1/4 cup is also safe for most colored clothes. Article was by GE Laundry about public laundry.

Orginal Lysol, in the brown bottle. That can be used for disinfecting laundry ;)

I probably wouldn't soak for 10 minutes. I think 5 minuntes of contact time, with actual agitation is plenty. But, I thought I'd share anyway :-)

Was you sharing or just proving I didn't know what I was talking about? LOL But I did read that written by GE.

Thank you everyone, lol, I'm going to stick with 1/2 cup of LCB.. along with 5-6 minutes of agitation outta do the job.

Mich, lol, Lyso in the little brown bottle, not in my machine, I'd never get the scent out lol.

Bea, I bet a lot of us tend to forget that..it doesn't have a chance to go bad in my house lol. I use it to clean bathrooms daily..I also soak my kiddos nebulizer for asthma in it daily.than the occasional laundry use, last year the boys were sick ALL the time, so lots of bleach washing last winter. But your right it does have a shelf life. And that's good to know expecially for those needing it for disinfecting. Thank you Bea.

beaglenc...the Clorox web site says...

"The active ingredient in bleach, sodium
hypochlorite, naturally breaks down into salt and water. The rate of
breakdown increases rapidly when bleach is stored in extreme hot or
freezing temperatures, or when a bottle is more than one year old.
Generally, bleach stored at room temperature (~70°F) has a shelf life of
one year, but after that point it should be replaced."

https://www.clorox.com/dr-laundry/shelf-life/

I know you don't need much bleach to disinfect. When I worked in the food service industry, it was 50 parts per million of bleach to disinfect, which is a high dilution rate (we used 1 Tablespoon in a 5 gallon bucket for washing tables, sanitizing dishes in the rinse tub when dishes were done by hand, etc.). I know that if you wash fabrics at above 140 degrees and dry in a hot dryer it will kill viruses as well. Another solution is to have several sets of sheets on hand. Cold/Flu viruses can live up to about 10 - 14 days on fabrics but usually about a week. If you simply just wash and dry them, and put them away for a few weeks they will be fine as well. I know when the USDA inspector comes out when we process chickens, that we only have to use 1 teaspoon per quart of water to mist down surfaces to kill things and disinfect them. With bleach being more concentrated these days, I bet you could get by with about 1/4 cup and leave in contact with the sheets in the wash cycle for 10 minutes.

I Am told 1tablespoon per quart to disinfect the nebulizer lol

Well yeah, that works too! I know in daycare situations that is the ratio they use for surfaces to disinfect them daily. Probably the logic there is that it might dry faster than the 10 minutes it needs to stay in contact to kill things at a lesser ratio. So, if you make it stronger, it will probably work better/faster with a Tablespoon per quart. My neighbor owns a montessori school and state law requires them to use 1 TB per quart to clean daily, and it must be mixed up daily. They spray and wipe with paper towels which allows the surfaces to dry much faster than saturating with a spray bottle and letting it air dry. So it would make sense with the TB vs the tsp in solution depending on application.

@georgect... I'm not exactly sure, why that is published on the Clorox website.

The CDC has always said, replace Bleach after six months. Reason being, the Sodium Hypochlorite mixture will be unstable, and might not provide enough Chlorine to disinefect.

With that said... Clorox has always mentioned, that for general household cleaning, and Laundry.. the product should remain usable for 12 Months.

I'm very concerned myself, seeing that on the website. Worst Case Scenario.. A Superbug, could become a epidemic from improper sanitation information.

I want to make it very clear, I'm not attacking you in any way George. I'm just shocked, that someone posted that on the Clorox website. That could cause a really big issue, if a nurse or doctor was counting on accurate information.

“When Clorox® Regular-Bleach is stored between 50°F and 70F° and away from sunlight, it will maintain label strength of the sodium hypochlorite active for up to 6 months (at this point hospitals should replace it). After 6 months it starts breaking down into salt and water, but it will still work well for the home consumer up to a year. Since it’s always diluted before use, you can just use a little more. Beyond a year, it should be replaced because the rate of decomposition into salt and water speeds up, which is a big part of why it’s environmentally friendly.”

Mitch...I know you're not attacking me.

Another thing...maybe they are playing it safe because you never know how long LCB has been sitting on the store shelves.

Gold standard.

rpsinfoman, What brand of bleach is that a picture of? Also, cannot see the directions, are the amounts given, to be used diluted with water or is straight bleach required. What is percent of sodium hypochlorite.

Clorox Instituional

Ollies had that a few months ago, but I knew it was too old, so I didn't buy it.

@beag - 8.5%. I buy Regular Clorox at SAMs 7.56% HE for my laundry. Either one is fine.

White cloud sold at walmart is 8.5.

I like the advice of washing/drying the sheets normally and then putting them away for 10-14 days. Bleach damages fabric and sheets are expensive.

Bleach can be damaging, but it has its place. And if the correct measures are taken it can be a launderesses friend. Its a fact it will disinfect and it will give excellent results with whitening, just have to know the correct way to use it to prevent yellowing and damage.And your washer will thank you for occasionally using it.