Bea nothing safe comes to mind as far as chemical sanitization...don't write off thermal sanitize too quickly...there's also the dryer, you will however need to dry a bit longer after they are dry, and as much as some don't want to hear this...iron...yes a good hot iron on dry towels will kill bacteria. I realize ironing towels are not a day at the beach, but if they must be sanitized, if they are colors, and if chemicals can't be used there's not much options left. I'd say hang in the sun, but although that can go a long way in killing some nastys its not really reliable, besides the sun will also bleach fade.

Your problem Bea is exactly why hospitals only use white linens. Lol.

I cam across this home made bleach alternative but you use 2 cups per wash load you're trying to whiten.

It's hydrogen peroxide (regular drug store grade 3%), lemon juice and water.

They don't say if it sanitizes as it's more of a cleaner/whitener I think.

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/how-to-make-a-simple-natural-alternative-to-bleach

Also hanging things out in the sun is natural disinfectant.

Hi Joel!!

Do you have a specific pathogen you are worried about?

If we really think about it...a hot bath with detergent and a run thru the dryer is going to reduce common everyday nastys enough. I'm also wondering Bea...do you have a specific bacteria your concerned about? I understand if this is of a personal nature and you don't want to comment.

Launderess posted some interesting documents in reply #4 here:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREADM.cgi?71038

Also remember that hanging clothes outside during pollen season may mean the pollen ends up on your clothes or bedding and can really make a difference if you have allergies. I have a friend who stopped hanging her sheets outside and her husband never sneezed in bed again.

Good point Pat.

Besides if you don't want colored towels to fade I would not use the sun.

Hi Mama!!

Thanks for all your replies! No specific pathogen, just habits instilled for almost 70 years. With common everyday stuff, hot water with detergent followed by a hot dryer should be enough. Even handling raw meats and through hand washing is enough, right? I have some Tide with bleach and All Oxy I'll try next time I do a load of towels, along with a long soak. Might sound like over kill, but it will make me feel better about not using lcb. I've seen a few videos and tips about using peroxide and vinegar for sanitizing, ect. but they should not be used together, mixed together. Doing so releases a toxic gas. So that idea is out, as far as laundry is concerned. Sorry didn't mean to ramble on.lol

Does All Oxy or All Oxi even contain oxygen bleach? I am asking because I looked up the ingredients and I couldn't find oxygen bleach as one of them. Maybe they use something else but still call it Oxi or I am looking at the wrong product. I don't think there is any definition of the word Oxi so I guess it can mean anything you want it to.

I haven't use LCB on laundry in 14 years and have not been any the worse off for it. I think that as long as no one in a household has a communicable disease I probably will never use it. Even if you use a sanitize cycle any germs, or cold virus that is air born, that went into the laundry will most likely be around the washer or in your house so that after you remove the laundry the germs will be there to get all over the clothes again.

No oxy in the ALL it relys on concentrated surfactants and enzymes.