The health body recommends washing “high-risk” items, such as shared towels, at the highest temperatures recommended by the clothing item.
The type of clothing that can cause an illness could also include clothes that are worn while you’re preparing food, sports clothes and clothing worn over infected skin.
It adds: “If you are washing lightly soiled everyday items, a normal wash with a detergent will be very effective at reducing the risk of transmitting any infection.”
Another item of laundry that can lead to diseases if left unwashed is your bed linen.