Athletes perhaps know better than anyone the importance of a strong laundry routine. And while most of us don't count jerseys among the clothing we wash weekly, we are always on the hunt for ways to make our clothes as clean and fresh-smelling as possible.
Baseball legend Alex Rodriguez has put forward his go-to laundry hack: Lysol's Laundry Sanitizer with 0% Bleach.
'This stuff kills bacteria on your laundry, which is awesome because I remember that polyester Yankee uniform would just stink,' A-Rod told the Strategist about the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer with 0% Bleach. 'Sometimes in the summer, I would wear three different jerseys in one game — first three innings, second three innings, and third — because it would get so soaking wet and smelly. Whether you’re playing sports or just working out, it will help keep your clothes clean and smelling good.'
This is a bleach alternative that reportedly kills 99.9% of bacteria, without the harshness of bleach. It's gentle on fabrics, effective in cold water, and is safe to use on colors and whites.
Laundry sanitizers are certainly a helpful accessory alongside detergents; however, experts encourage discernment in product choice, along with opting for more natural solutions.
Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved, explains, 'Using a laundry sanitizer can be helpful when there has been an unhygienic spill on clothing or bedding. However, pre-soaking any garments in a mix of non-toxic cleaning essentials such as white vinegar and baking soda, both available at Walmart, in cold water for at least 30 minutes will help sanitize and deodorize garments without the need for harsh chemicals. Then you pop it in the washer on your usual washer cycles.'
She continues, 'You can also use Molly's Suds, available on Amazon, which is a gentle and EWG-approved, effective but gentle laundry detergent suitable for use on even babies' clothing, and carries the Environmental Working Group's highest grading, category A, for consumer and planet safety.'
Punteha also recommends paying close attention to the temperature you are running your washing machine at, as this can have a large impact on how clean your clothes will be.
'As for sanitizing laundry without chemicals, there are many dirty items you can run in a hot wash (above 130° Fahrenheit) for appropriate bacteria busting suing good old-fashioned heat,' she explains. 'However, be mindful that not all fabrics can tolerate high temperatures, such as silk and wool. It's always best to check the item's laundry symbol first and switch to an alternative sanitizing method if needed. Personally, I'm a big advocate for making my home less toxic and stick to nature's grime busters.'
Shop the natural laundry sanitizer essentials
A go-to cleaning product for a reason, this all-natural edition provides ample supply with its gallon bottle.
Free of harsh chemicals, Arm & Hammer's baking soda is a failsafe buy for laundry needs and beyond.
Made without harsh chemicals, these auto-release pods are simple and effective on tough stains.
