Washing Using The Cold Water Cycle

[mikey4444]

I have visited my friends in America many times over the last 40 years, and they always seem to use cold water detergents, on the cold wash in their washing machines. The only time they use a hot wash is if something is very heavily soiled, like work overalls.

I have been trying this at home for the last few weeks. I use whatever the cheapest own-brand laundry detergent I can find and very rarely use the expensive makes. Towels, tea towels and the like come out perfect...I can't see a difference to using a normal 60 degrees cycle. I usually go through 5/6 shirts a week and again these are fine on cold. ( I don't own much white stuff) Ditto with underwear.

So, are we missing an energy-saving trick here in Britain ? It has occurred to me that none of our detergents that you see on sale in the shops say specifically that they are "cold water" Do Americans have access to special detergents and if they, why can't we buy them ( bear in mind that my experiment seems to work OK using our brands )

[mikey4444]

Sqad...If ever I was on holiday on your beautiful island, I would recognise you immediately as the male part of a couple, with a lady on your arm, who was sporting a very prominent halo.....God Bless Mrs Sqad.

[grasscarp]

And of course the sainted mrs Sqad never has a headache

[mikey4444]

I've been thinking...would it work if you just put washing soda crystals into a automatic washing machine, instead of washing powder ?

I am tempted to have a go !

[slaney]

The problem is lack of good evidence for laundry hygiene recommendations.

The laundry hygiene section in Wikipedia is quite good
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene#Laundry_hygiene

"Of concern is recent data suggesting that, in reality, modern domestic washing machines do not reach the temperature specified on the machine controls."

At least one UK expert suggests washing some items such as towels and bedding at 60..
http://www.thehygienedoctor.co.uk/dont-get-your-knickers-in-a-twist/

And from the Hygiene Council 2008..

"Launder clothes, linen, towels, and other fabrics at a high temperature (above 60°C)

If a lower temperature is recommended or you prefer to wash at a lower temperature then a laundry disinfectant should be added particularly for the laundry of small children or other contaminated items

Launder heavily soiled items separately

Dry clothes immediately after washing to prevent build up of germs
on damp items

Run washing machine empty at a high-temperature occasionally
to prevent it becoming a reservoir for germs"

I still prefer to wash dishcloths, towels and bedding at the higher temperatures.

[carrust]

The other week they said on women's hour that bedding, towels and underwear should be washed on a hot cycle. This gets rid of all the nasties... It's common sense when you think about it.

[mikey4444]

I guess so carrust, but would 60 degrees be enough to sterilize the wash ?

Do we need to sterilize our clothes and towels ?

I always thought that the "boil wash" was the only one capable of that. I am not sure if all bacteria would be killed at 60.

[carrust]

The Mrs puts ours on a 95. Here endeth my knowledge of laundering:-)

[slaney]

I'm just going on what my microbiologist colleagues used to tell me - as I said there is not much good quality evidence, and using a disinfectant for the higher risk items like dishcloths would be a possibility.

[mikey4444]

Thanks everybody...interesting discussion this morning about a rather mundane subject, but we can all benefit from lower energy costs I guess.

I am still unsure about all those North American washing powders though...
I hope I have some response after they awake over the Pond !

[HansUrbancka]

Perhaps the 'Cold Wash Cycle' is the reason for Bed-bugs increasing in the USA.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2013/07/09/bed-bugs-in-hotels/2492871/

Hans.

[237SJ]

I don`t think US washing powders have anything in that ours don`t. Most powders are 15% surfectants plus perfumes and other bits and pieces. They don`t have any magic ingredients.

[mikey4444]

Thanks Hans, but I am still unsure if bed bugs can be killed at 60 degrees...
I think you just end up with cleaner bugs at that temp. But most bed bugs live in the mattresses and bed frames don't they ?

[slaney]

Mikey - most bed bugs are killed at 60 degrees as are bacteria
http://insectsinthecity.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/guidelines-for-killing-bed-bugs-in.html

[237SJ]

Bedbugs live in mattresses but they can be transported around via your nightclothes when you have stayed in an hotel for eg (even aeroplanes have had bed bugs carried by people) which is why you should use a hot wash on your nightclothes in some cases.

[jennyjoan]

I too when in America noticed my friend washed all her clothes in cold water - her clothes looked fine but then again she is not fussy.

[EDDIE51]

Even 'Cold Wash' setting on USA washing machines is actually around 30deg or the Fahrenheit equivalent. I had an USA made Maytag for 3 years when I lived in Saudi Arabia . If the machine did not heat the water at all it could be near freezing in winter ( not in Saudi though!)
I have found there is no advantage in using 'Brand Name' detergent supermarket own brand is just as good. Use 50/50 detergent and ordinary washing soda cheaper and works just as well. 'Wash Booster' is just washing soda in a brand name pack with a price to match.
Very rare that I wash anything at over 30 ever.
As long as you use the correct amount of detergent or detergent / soda mix that is going to kill the bacteria any way, the detergent destroys the cell membrane of the bacteria and kills them. Laundry disinfectants are a waste of money. If you really want to be sure add an egg cup size dose of bleach as well, that amount of bleach does not effect the colour but is enough to kill bacteria. Just do not add the bleach onto dry clothes add it as the machine is part full of water. Again supermarket own brand ' value' bleach is the same but much cheaper .

[Fusion5]

I did read recently in a magazine on one of those Top Tips segments that washing on. 60degree wash stops the enzymes in biological powder working.

I wash everything on 60 and always add washing soda which costs around 90p a packet to every wash To keep the lim scale down.