Dr Xand names washing machine temperature that's best for destroying germs
During a recent segment on BBC Morning Live, Dr Xand revealed the best temperature for washing clothes. He explained which setting eliminates the most bacteria and which is the most cost-effective. You can adjust your washing machine's settings to achieve different results based on your laundry requirements and desired level of cleanliness. However, keep in mind that some options may be more costly, according to the Express.
A video featuring Dr Xand was shared on TikTok, with the caption: "What temperature should you do your laundry at? Could you be washing your laundry at the wrong temperature?" The post further explained: "Dr Xand explains how hot you should be setting your machine to."
READ MORE: 'Life-saving' menopause product inspired by menopausal 25-year-old sells out 3 times
Speaking to viewers, Dr Xand stated: "The hottest your washing machine will go is 90 degrees, usually, and that will kill everything."
He continued: "It's almost boiling. It's bad for the clothes. It's very expensive. Whatever's happened to those clothes, I think you gotta get new clothes."
So, what setting strikes a balance between cost-effectiveness and hygiene? For regular laundry, 30 or 40 degrees is adequate, while a cooler 20-degree cycle is perfect for lightly soiled items, reports the Daily Record.
Dr Xand discussed the best temperature for washing clothes, stating: "At 60 degrees, certain bugs will be killed, and that can be quite good.
"So, if you've got an infection around your house, particularly norovirus, put it up at 60, along with the mechanical cleaning and the detergent."
Dr Xand van Tulleken has cast doubt on the effectiveness of 40-degree washes, stating: "Personally, I don't see the point in 40 degrees because it's too hot to be cheap and it's too cold to kill anything. Commit to one or the other. Either go hot or go cold."
When it comes to his own laundry routine, Dr Xand opts for a more energy-efficient approach, revealing: "And then there's 20 degrees. I've gotta say, I'm a 20 degrees guy for everything except my workout clothes, which go in hotter."
He elaborated on the benefits of cooler washes, saying: "20 degrees saves 62 per cent of your money compared to 40 degrees, so that is a big deal. But at the lower temperatures, you gotta think about cleaning your machine."
To tackle a grimy washing machine drum, Dr Xand recommends a simple solution: "If your machine has a cleaning cycle, which runs it at a high temperature, do that according to the manufacturer's instructions, and then air it out."
The health expert's laundry insights have sparked lively discussions on TikTok, with many users chiming in with their own washing wisdom. A fellow TikToker suggested: "Just wash on a 30, but use Dettol laundry, gets rid of any germs."
Another TikTok user chimed in: "60 for bedding, towels, flannels, dishcloths, tea towels, socks and underwear." A third recounted their own tale: "I tried using 30 every time and my machine soon started to stink, went back to 40/60 and problem solved."
Someone else noted the importance of detergent choice: "It's all about the detergents these days. 20 is fine." When it comes to laundry, delicate fabrics like silk and wool should be washed with care in cold or warm water, while hardier materials such as cottons and linens can withstand hotter temperatures.
For heavily soiled garments, a higher temperature wash is essential to get them properly clean, but if your clothes are only lightly dirty, a cooler wash will do the trick.
Some washing powders are specially designed for cold washes, whereas others work best at higher temperatures.
It's worth remembering that lower temperature washes are usually more energy-efficient, which could help shave pounds off your energy bills, so keep this in mind when deciding on your wash settings.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
I'm a food pro – 4 common BBQ mistakes can give you food poisoning in hot weather & you need to be careful with coleslaw
THE hot weather means more and more Brits are opting to grill their dinner outdoors. However, be careful not to make these common mistakes that can result in food poisoning. Whether you're enjoying quiet summer barbecue or grilling up a storm for all your friends and family, be careful when preparing your al fresco meal. When it comes to outdoor cooking in these hot conditions, you need to take extra precautions. Certain foods can quickly become dangerous when exposed to the high temperatures and sunlight for too long. "Most people don't realise how quickly warm weather turns food dangerous," Mark McShane, food hygiene expert at Food Hygiene Certificate, told the Express. Chicken, sausages, and burgers "In 30 degree Celsius plus heat, chicken left out for just 30 minutes can begin developing unsafe levels of bacteria – and no, cooking it won't always kill everything," he explained. He went on to say that taking chicken and burgers out of the fridge and leaving them by the barbecue for over too long before cooking places the meat in a "danger zone". According to the expert, the maximum amount of time meat should stay out of the fridge when the weather is between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius is an hour. And when temperatures spike over 30 degrees Celsius, the maximum time is cut in half to just 30 minutes. "We see a spike in food poisoning every time there's a UK heatwave – and it's nearly always avoidable," he explained. "You can't 'see' or 'smell' these bacteria, but they'll ruin your weekend. The 2C method which stops flies plaguing your home and ruining your BBQ "Cook safely, chill properly and when in doubt, throw it out." He added that charred doesn't mean cooked when it comes to grilling up your barbecue staples. This is especially important to remember with chicken, sausages, and burgers. Meat should be cut through to ensure it is safe to eat and if they are pink or the juice isn't clear, that's your sign to put them back on the grill. Coleslaw The expert also warned Brits about another popular barbecue staple – colelsaw. The UK Government have issued some guidelines for staying safe whilst using a barbecue: Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies. Follow the safety instructions provided with your gas, charcoal, or disposable barbecue. Never use a barbecue indoors, in a tent, under an awning or in a caravan. Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more (normally around 5cms or 2 inches). Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area. After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it. Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they're hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire. Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste. In the countryside or public park areas, only use disposable barbecues where there are specially designated areas and carefully follow the safety guidance. Enjoy yourself, but don't drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue. Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your barbecue; use only recognised lighters or starter fuels on cold coals. He revealed that sides made with mayonnaise or dairy "can quickly turn dangerous" if left in the sun. You should also be aware of the dangers of cross-contamination, which the pro said is the most common mistake. Avoid using the same tongs or chopping food for raw and cooked meat as this can cause salmonella infections. More BBQ stories And if you're planning to host a barbecue get together on a smaller balcony, make sure to heed this warning. Another little-known danger could also pose a risk when barbecuing this summer. And barbecue fans can pick up a "no-frills" charcoal grill for just £11 from Argos. 2
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Woman left paralysed after horror holiday hotel fall from second-floor balcony
Holly Seaford's family are trying to raise funds for medical repatriation so she can access rehabilitation back home in the UK. A young woman has been left paralysed after a horror fall from a hotel balcony while on holiday. Holly Seaford, 20, was visiting the Greek island of Rhodes with her boyfriend when she fell from the second floor in the early hours of Wednesday, July 9. She suffered fractures to four vertebrae, and is in hospital unable to move, with doctors struggling to treat her. They have told her boyfriend Tate Crees it will be around two months before she can move again. He said: 'She is lying flat in a hospital bed in a back brace unable to move or walk. Doctors have told us it'll be at least six to eight weeks before she can start to regain mobility. This is going to be a very difficult process.' Holly's sister Briony said their family can't afford to get her back to her hometown of Ystrad Mynach in Wales by themselves, and have asked for help to put money towards bringing her home, WalesOnline reports. She said: 'She's in a lot of pain and is bedbound. The last I heard they'd given her paracetamol. They can't effectively look after her there.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The couple were due to return home on the day of Holly's fall. Tate added: 'Although the medical care in Greece is good the hospital sadly doesn't have any nursing support available. 'This means Holly is without help for even the most basic daily needs which is having a serious impact on her wellbeing. 'We are desperate to get her home to the UK where she can receive the professional nursing care and rehabilitation she urgently requires. 'But medical repatriation is incredibly expensive, especially as the only way Holly can fly home is on a stretcher. She requires a specialist medical flight with trained staff to monitor her throughout the journey and unfortunately this isn't covered by insurance.' Tate has set up a fundraising page, which has so far raised over £3,000, and can be found here.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Britain's 'tandemic' isn't just a beauty trend - it's a public health crisis'
Pall Mall Medical GP, Dr Chun Tang, says the UK's "tandemic" is part of a wider health crisis amongst young Brits, for which the concern goes far beyond being a beauty trend gone wrong Promoted on TikTok as a beauty trend loved by thousands, the return of sunbed tanning among young Brits - particularly Gen Z - is a huge cause for concern. Dubbed 'Britain's tandemic' by GP Dr Chun Tang: "We're seeing a generation chasing the perfect tan at any cost." Hooked on the look, the love of deep tans has seen a surge in sunbed vists, particularly in Northern cities, as research shows Newcastle as the leading city for tan addiction with an alarming 2,042 searches per 100,000 residents each month. That's 6,280 searches in June 2025 alone. A close second is Manchester at 1,981 per 100K, with Warrington (1,839), Sheffield (1,657) and Glasgow (1,638) following to make Britain's top five. What's most surprising is London's 593 searches (for every 100K), presenting a clear regional divide. Unfortunately for Brits, Dr Tang warns this latest beauty trend hides major health risks underneath its tanned, glowing skin. Sunbed use causes a range of serious side-effects, from burns to skin cancer - and now doctors are now begging for the end of this looming health crisis disguised as a Gen Z trend. 'A public health crisis in the making' The dangers of the machine-made tan were also highlighted in a Melanoma Focus study, which found 43 percent of young people aged 18 - 25 admitted to using sunbeds and 29 percent confirmed a regular top-up. Glamourised by influencers and content creators in social media trends, the need for bronzed skin for a 'hot girl summer' has both boosted searches and content. Google searches related to sunbeds and tanning have rapidly increased to half a million, with '#sunbed' and '#sunbeds' achieving a combined 159,400 posts on TikTok. As well as more social content, there are more shopping opportunities too, as tan-enhancing products, such as carrot oil and bronzing butters are advertised on TikTok Shop. Dr Tang tells us that the health risks are undeniable, and include: premature ageing, severe burns, and most worryingly, an increased risk of skin cancer. "This isn't just a beauty trend, it's a public health crisis in the making," he says. Debunking the Vitamin D myth According to the NHS, vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. The site notes that the best source for vitamin D, from March through to September, is sunlight. "The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors," the site reads. Vitamin D can also be found in oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, trout, herring or mackerel, red meat, egg yolks and can be taken via supplements. According to Active Salon, while the levels of UVB you'll get from a sunbed are not quite as high as the sun, sunbed lamps do emit both UVA and UVB radiation. "This means that indoor tanning, whether in a lie-down sunbed or stand-up booth, can help your body to produce vitamin D," the site explains.. However, Dr Tang shuts down the myth of sunbeds being a safe way to top up vitamin D. He says this myth is "dangerously misleading" and urges Brits to avoid sunbeds altogether as there is "no safe level of use". Instead he recommends tan lovers to "embrace self-tan lotions or sprays as safer alternatives; cover up with hats and UV-protective clothing outdoors; and get regular skin checks, especially if you've used sunbeds in the past". For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. 'Use SPF and brush up on the ABCDE rule' The GP advises individuals " use SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even in winter" and to follow the 'ABCDE rule' when monitoring existing moles/ changes on our skin. "The ABCDE mole rule is a handy way to spot anything suspicious: A is for Asymmetry; B is for Border (look for jagged edges); C is for Colour (multiple or uneven shades); and D is for Diameter (anything bigger than a pencil eraser should get checked out). Finally, E is for Evolution (keep track of any changes in your moles over time)". "In short, if a mole looks weird or is changing, get it seen. We now have innovative assessments like mole mapping that creates a detailed photographic record of your moles, helping detect new or changing ones early. They can be crucial for spotting skin cancer before it becomes serious".
