A method of washing and disinfecting textiles in a household appliance that has a wash basket, an agitator, a cabinet cover, and a UVC radiation source installed at a bottom of the tub, on a side of the tub, above the agitator, or at any point below the cover, comprising:
- filling the wash basket with water;
- placing the textiles inside the basket;
- turning on the radiation source to irradiate the textiles;
- starting washing and rinsing phases of the textiles;
- turning off the radiation source;
- and
- draining the liquid from washing the textiles;
- wherein the radiation source also irradiates components of the household appliance that are in contact with the washing liquid.