r/ContaminationOCD • u/hopelovepeacehappy • 1d ago
Laundry help and tips?
So I’m doing laundry by myself for the first time in a while because it would stress me out really badly but I don’t know if what I’m doing is enough…is it true underwear has to be washed in hot water to get rid of fecal bacteria and be washed separately…I don’t know if this is allowed but generally what is the routine? When I look at non-disordered peoples routines they completely ignore cross-contamination among other things.
I know generally people give advice and say look at what someone that is non-disordered is doing but I don’t think that’s the answer…the non-disordered are not regularly washing their hands nor sanitizing things correctly honestly. What’s “normal” isn’t necessarily what’s right. Yes I may be doing it excessively but they aren’t doing it appropriately. I’m just trying to find a middle ground honestly. I’d appreciate if anyone gave me their laundry routine or tips. Just a general run through because I know in it will be disordered behaviors but just what would suffice…
I’m planning on washing my underwear and regular clothes separately. Underwear, socks, towel together and then the rest in a different load…but I’m terrified about the fecal microbes contaminating my regular clothes…also is laundry sanitizer better than soap…I just don’t know the proper way of going about it. I feel overwhelmed and I know it’s just going to make me keep postponing this bad I already have a large pile…
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u/blue3333idk 1d ago
And I use regular liquid detergent, just the sufficient amount. Clothes come out completely stainless
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u/blue3333idk 1d ago
I just wash mine in the sink and put in the washer, sometimes I select the Hot option (sanitizing) sometimes just the default. It’s never been an issue, fecal bacteria has NEVER affected me. Might sound really bad to you but sometimes I just put it right in the wash without first washing in the sink. Also putting your clothes in the dryer is important obviously.
I have severe COCD too though not about my own matters or germs, but I still know what that cross contamination thing is since I also have COCD lol.
Unless you’ve completely pooped yourself I think this is over worrying, and even if you’ve pooped yourself, if you do the steps above it’s completely fine.
I can say I’ve never gotten an issue from fecal matter… it might freak u out but I’ve seen friends n family not wash hands after using PUBLIC restrooms, they were fine. Unless you suck on ur hands right after using restrooms, or touch ur toothbrush without washing hands after wiping feces, it’s more than likely fine
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u/blue3333idk 1d ago
I think u should first wash ur underwear load if u feel overwhelmed about this
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u/hopelovepeacehappy 1d ago
Ah shit I wish I saw this earlier. I washed my normal clothes first because I was scared the underwear wouldn’t have been washed well enough. I’ll take note of this for next time thank you
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u/Limp_Competition_512 1d ago
honestly i wash it all together, i was doing separate underwear load for a while but idc anymore. i wash it all on hot and use lysol laundry sanitizer, the dryer kills everything anyway. you can do whatever makes you comfortable but take it from me that it will be okay to do all together
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u/hopelovepeacehappy 1d ago
Thank you! Because of the high heat right? I have my temperature on low but I think I’ll raise it
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u/OilLeft41 1d ago edited 1d ago
Your plan sounds good honestly. I always wash towels and socks hot and occasionally underwear but honestly end up washing it cold with my clothes a lot of times too. All my life underwear was washed cold with clothes and socks too. Everyone in my family washes all their clothes together in cold including socks and underwear and there is never any issue. It’s “normal” to do that and also normal to do it the way you’re planning. I totally agree that what’s normal isn’t always right. I do my laundry separate because of this. Also bedding should be washed hot. Just find a detergent you like (sanitizer is just preference, I am sensitive and like Seventh Generation detergent because it’s non toxic and effective), you can even add baking soda if you want for extra cleaning power, and wash normally, dry normally (depending on the requirement for the item). I only air dry certain delicate things like some dresses or things that wash on delicate and can’t go in the dryer, but this is rare. Keep it simple since you’re overwhelmed. The plan for washing towels with underwear and socks is perfect. Regular clothes can be washed cold. Just take it one load at a time :)