to use the 30 degree super express wash for nearly everything?

[everythingsgoingsouth]

my clothes aren't dirty, just worn once, or PJs 2-3 times.
towels and bedding I'd still wash at 60, normal wash.

does the 30 express wash really...wash?

Yep, it's fine unles the clothes are properly mucky.

Me too for nearly everything!

I do too. Doesn't seem any point doing a longer wash.

I have a 30 degree quick wash function which takes 14 minutes. I use it all the time...not for anything heavily stained, but anything with light dirt or just a bit smelly, it's great on. There's no difference that I can tell in the 14 minute wash to the full hour and a half cycle. I have an 11kg machine but i'd only put it about half full on a quick wash...that would still be a 'standard' 5.5kg wash though.

If they're not dirty why are you washing them at all

Those express washes are normally for a much smaller load of washing e.g. Might be 2/3kg rather than 8/9kg so clothes may not get properly clean

My machine has a 48 minute 30 degree cycle that I use for everything. It has a 15 minute one but I only use that if I only need a few tops washing or some baby grows or something.

My machine has a 30 min wash which I did use for everything before I realised it wasn't getting general dirt marks off clothes (especially mud/grass etc from DS's clothes). I just use to freshen things up now if needed.

I do too. Might chuck some anti bac laundry detergent in if DD has peed on something but always 30 degree express wash. Worth saying that MIL thinks my housekeeping is shite- my excuse is that I am trying to be eco friendly.

Mine has a 40 degree quick wash and I rarely use anything else. Only the proper mucky stuff and white loads get the special treatment. Works fine for us. With a family of six and both working FT or thereabouts we don't have much choice!

My machine has a 15min wash and I use it loads, never thought I would but it's pretty effective.

Well, I'm pleased you've asked, because I have A Washing System:

All clothes, apart from DH's tops and all pants/socks - 30°, 45 minute wash
All whites - 60°, 2.5 hr cycle, with Vanish
All pants and socks, plus DH's tops - 60°, 2.5 hr cycle

The reason for all pants and socks being washed at 60° is that anything less does not kill bacteria. I also now put DH's tops in that wash, as I noticed when I was ironing his tops that they smelt of BO, which is a bit odd as he showers every day, wears deodorant and never smells anything but delicious. Since I started washing them at a high temperature, that doesn't happen.

I am a complete slattern with the rest of the housework, but I like my Washing System. I may leave a copy of it in my will, as I suspect DH would not take the correct level of care otherwise.

I had real trouble finding a machine with a quick wash which had a fast spin. Mine is 40degrees and done in 29 minutes and again I rarely use anything else. I find that if a stain doesn't come out on that it isn't shifting anyway.

Barbara surely most people wash their socks, pants and t-shirts everyday without questioning how dirty they are?

I use the 30min 30 degree wash for basically everything I do use Dettol laundry disinfectant treatment in with towels, bedlinen and anything particularly dirty.

My MIL only uses the super express wash and if the kids stay with her their clothes come back grey and still dirty. Probably fine for freshening up but not for a normal wash.

Why wash stuff if it's not dirty? Underwear and socks are obviously dirty but equally obviously need washing on a reasonably hot wash. A t shirt that's been worn once on a not hot or sweaty day and has had nothing spilt on it isn't dirty and can be worn again.

Nope. 30 degrees doesn't kill bacteria and that bacteria is transferred to all/other items in that wash.

Also, I watched a program once that showed how bedding/towels/underwear etc all contain traces of faecal matter.

If I'm putting a load in, I want to know it's coming out clean, why else would you bother?

I wash most clothes that don't need hand wash or wool setting on 30 and set to quick wash. Seems to do the job.

Matilda The OP says her clothes aren't dirty. So I don't understand why she is washing them.

Socks, pants and anything sweaty or stained are dirty and need washing, obviously. The great test would be whether these items come out clean after an express 30 wash.

If the OP is using the express 30 wash to wash clothes that aren't actually dirty, of course they will come out clean.

After a while your washing machine will get a bit stinky if you only use v low temperature.
Run a hot wash at least once a month.
40 washes don't get rid of Man pit sweat. (eg from mowing the lawn)

My machine has a 40° Eco wash that takes 134 minutes and I nearly always use that. It has a 30 minute quick wash that I sometimes stick my work uniform in or the kids school jumpers if they're a bit grubby but I don't think it gets things clean enough for everyday use.

I could have written MsVestibules's post. Until recently washing most things at 30 cycle except for sheets and towels at 60. However DH's socks and pants made the load smell weird after washing and also noticed his t-shirt armpits smelling of sweat after washing. Now do all underwear at 60, sheets and towels at 60 and everything else at 30.

Wow. This thread is a revelation. I wash almost everything at 40 but that is still a 90 min cycle. I've never even considered using the quick wash feature. I will do now!

I was doing similar but noticed my machine started to smell.

What is the effect of all this bacteria our thirty degree washes are failing to kill? Just out of interest?