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What Is the Sanitize Cycle on a Washer

You’ve probably noticed the “Sanitize” or “Sanitary” setting on your washing machine and wondered what it’s for. As your clean-obsessed Chicago neighbors, we want to demystify this feature. In plain terms, the sanitize cycle is a special wash program that uses extra-hot water and extended wash time to kill germs. It’s designed to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria on clothes – far beyond what a regular wash cycle can do. In this article, we’ll explain what the sanitize cycle is, how it differs from other machine wash cycles, when to use it (and when not to), and why it shouldn’t be your everyday setting.

What exactly is the sanitize cycle on a washer?

The sanitize cycle (sometimes labeled “Sanitary” on machines) is all about deep cleaning for health. A normal wash cycle on your washing machine will clean dirt and remove some germs, but it doesn’t necessarily kill most bacteria or viruses. The sanitize cycle steps in by using very hot water – often at least 150–165°F (65–74°C) – and sometimes an added soak or steam phase to destroy germs on laundry. Many modern front-load washers even have internal heaters to boost the water temperature for this cycle.

This means when you run the sanitary washer cycle, you’re essentially washing your clothes in hospital-grade conditions. To earn a “sanitize” label, washers generally must prove they can eliminate 99.9% of certain bacteria. In practical terms, it’s a cycle that combines detergent with high heat (or occasionally special additives) to eradicate germs that a normal warm wash might leave behind. The result is extra peace of mind that sheets, towels, or clothes are not just clean, but hygienically clean.

How is it different from other wash cycles?

The sanitize setting isn’t something you’d use for every load, because it operates differently from a regular cycle. Here’s how it stands apart from your usual washer cycles:

Higher water temperatures: Most washing machine cycles use warm or hot water maxing out around 130°F for heavy-duty loads. Sanitize cycles crank the heat much higher (often 40°F+ hotter than a Normal cycle). This high temp is crucial for killing germs but would be overkill for everyday laundry.
Longer cycle time: The average washing machine cycle time for a Normal load is around 50–60 minutes. In contrast, a sanitize cycle typically takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete. The washer spends extra time heating the water and often extends the wash and rinse phases to ensure germs are eliminated. Don’t be surprised – that added time is the trade-off for a deeper clean.
Specialized purpose: Regular cycles (Normal, Delicates, etc.) are designed for fabric care and soil removal. The sanitize cycle is designed for germ removal above all. It’s the setting you turn to when you need an extra level of cleanliness that other cycles can’t provide. Some washers even have an “Allergen” cycle or steam option closely related to sanitize, meant to kill dust mites or sanitize items like baby clothes.

In short, the sanitize cycle uses much hotter water and runs longer than a typical wash cycle washing machine settings offer. It’s a heavy-duty, high-heat wash that goes beyond cleaning visible dirt – it’s about disinfecting. Because of these differences, you should use it selectively and understand what it’s for (and what its drawbacks might be). We’ll cover that next.

When should you use the sanitize cycle?

So, when is that extra-hot, extra-long wash worth it? The sanitize cycle is designed for specific situations where ordinary cycles might not be enough. We recommend using it in cases like these:

Illness in the household: If someone in your home has been sick with a contagious illness (flu, stomach bug, etc.), running their bedding, towels, and clothes through a sanitize cycle can help kill lingering germs and prevent spreading. It’s an extra precaution to keep the rest of the household healthy.
Heavily soiled or germ-prone items: Think of things like sweat-soaked gym towels, athletic uniforms, or cloth diapers. Items that are extremely sweaty, smelly, or likely harbor bacteria are good candidates. The sanitize setting will annihilate odor-causing bacteria and leave those fabrics truly fresh (just make sure the material can handle the heat).
Bedding and allergy-sensitive laundry: Sheets, pillowcases, and bathroom towels occasionally benefit from sanitizing, especially if you want to eliminate dust mites or you’ve gone a while between washes. Allergens like dust mite droppings can be reduced with the high heat of a sanitize cycle. Similarly, baby clothes or linens can be sanitized to protect newborns with developing immune systems.

Outside of these scenarios, you generally don’t need to sanitize every load of laundry. For everyday clothes, a normal wash with detergent will get them clean enough for regular use. Overusing the sanitize cycle would just expose your garments to more wear and tear from hot water and use extra energy without much benefit. Save this powerful setting for the moments you really need that deep germ-killing cleanse.

Use it sparingly (and safely)

It’s important to note that while the sanitize cycle is effective, it’s not gentle on fabrics. The intense heat and longer agitation can fade colors, shrink wool or delicate items, and weaken elastic fibers over time. Always check your clothing care labels – if something says cold wash only or is a delicate synthetic, avoid sanitizing it. This cycle is best reserved for sturdy, colorfast cottons, linens, and durable items that can take the heat.

Also keep in mind that sanitize cycles consume more energy and water due to the extended heating. Running a 2-hour hot cycle for every load would drive up your utility bills and waste time. In fact, Americans already spend around 4 hours per week on laundry (it’s one of the top 3 most time-consuming chores at home), and the average household does about 7 loads per week. Imagine if you tried to sanitize all seven loads – you’d be spending virtually all day doing laundry! Clearly, that’s not practical for most of us with busy schedules.

The good news is you don’t need to. A regular cycle with good detergent is sufficient for routine laundry. Save the sanitize feature for the special cases we mentioned. Your clothes will last longer and you’ll save time. When you do run a sanitize load, wash only the items that require it and use the recommended amount of detergent (avoid overloading the machine). This ensures the cycle can do its job effectively.

One more safety tip: because sanitize cycles use very hot water, be cautious when removing laundry at the end. Items might come out steamy and quite warm. Let them cool a bit before handling if necessary, and be careful not to immediately mix those sanitized items with anything still dirty to keep them germ-free.

Time vs. benefit – is it worth it?

On average, using the sanitize cycle will roughly double the wash time of a normal load. If you’re fighting tough germs, that extra time is worth it. But if not, you’re better off sticking to quicker cycles. A good strategy is to isolate a weekly or biweekly “germ load” – for example, do one separate sanitize load for all the household bath towels or sick bedding, and do your other clothes on normal cycles. That way you’re not dramatically increasing your total laundry time, but you still get the hygiene benefits where they matter.

Think of it this way: if you normally wash 7 loads a week, converting even 2 of those to sanitize cycles would add several extra hours of washing. Over a year, that’s a lot of time (and higher gas/electric bills for heating water). Use sanitize when needed, but don’t feel like you have to sanitize everything. Regular cleaning plus the occasional targeted sanitizing is usually enough to keep a healthy home.

And if you’re ever unsure whether to sanitize a particular load, err on the side of caution with the clothes. It’s better to wash delicates or dark fabrics on a gentler cycle and use other methods to sanitize (like adding a laundry sanitizer additive or using the dryer’s high heat or steam for non-washables). You can always run an empty hot cycle with a bit of bleach to sanitize the machine itself periodically, rather than subject every garment to high heat.

A note on professional laundry care

Perhaps you’re reading this and thinking, “All that sounds great, but I barely have time to eat dinner, let alone sort out sanitize cycles!” We hear you. Laundry already eats up a lot of time each week. That’s where a little help can go a long way. Instead of spending your evenings running extra-long wash cycles, you can reclaim that time by using a pickup & delivery laundry service like Spincycle. We’ll handle the sorting, washing, and even ozone-sanitize your items for an extra level of clean, then return everything fresh and folded.

Our wash & fold service is perfect for busy folks in Chicago who want laundry off their plate. We use efficient, high-capacity machines and can apply the right cycles for each item – including sanitizing when needed – so you don’t have to worry. (Yes, that means we can take care of those sick-day sheets or gym towels with professional-grade care.) And because we’re clean-obsessed, we’ve invested in ozone sanitization technology that disinfects fabrics without the harsh heat, protecting your clothes while still killing germs. It’s like getting the benefits of a sanitize cycle, but gentler and handled by experts.

The bottom line: the sanitize cycle on a washer is a powerful tool for specific situations. When used wisely, it can keep your home hygienic and give you peace of mind about truly clean laundry. Just remember it’s there for special occasions – not every load needs sanitizing. For normal laundry days, stick to your regular cycles, and for those times you need an extra hand (or simply want to save time), know that we’re here to help with neighbor-approved service and a smile. Here’s to staying healthy, saving time, and enjoying fresh, clean laundry without the hassle!