From the Consumer Reports article cited below:

> When a family member is sick, use hot water mixed with chlorine bleach to reduce bacteria in the bed linens and towels. The same goes for cleaning dirty cloth diapers, or other messes.

But also,

> Heating water accounts for about 90 percent of the energy needed to run a washer

So I only use heat for special occasions.

Article: https://www.consumerreports.org/washing-machines/dont-bother...