Washing all laundry in cold water

[floridapalmtree]

My 2 year old washing machine has stopped using hot water so I'm having to wash everything in cold water including bedding, underwear, tea cloths etc and have been doing so for a couple of months.

We have the house up for sale, have a buyer lined up, so don't want to buy a new machine unnecessarily. However, we can't find anywhere else to move to so there's a possibility we might stay.

The clothes and bedding 'seem' to look clean, sometimes I soak things in Vanish to get rid of stains.

AIBU to think that it's ok to wash everything in cold water or will things not get properly clean?

Do what is right for your circumstances. You could hire a machine.
Personally I rarely wash anything under 40 ,unless it is a dress of dd or mine .

I meant could you hire a machine. It used to be common. There are also machines on some garage forecourts.

@Cryalot2

I meant could you hire a machine. It used to be common. There are also machines on some garage forecourts.

I have never seen that.

It is cold fill only but I am guessing the heating control in the machine is broken. It's so expensive to have a call out to fix the problem which I would rather not do if move soon, it would make more sense to buy a new cheap machine if I am to spend money on it. It's out of guarantee and unfortunately no goodwill.

Never seen a machine to rent on a garage forecourt.

I do think the door is getting a bit gunky and it sometimes is a bit smelly. I have put cleaner, and descaler through it but don't know if they have worked as you're meant to do that with hot water.

Won't you need a washing machine in your new place anyway?

@floridapalmtree I had a washing machine fixed recently for £65 inc callout, it really isn’t likely to be expensive to fix. How much have you been quoted?

Leave the door open and wipe round the seal to get rid of the smell. I only ever wash on cold apart from the occasional service wash.

You wash your hands for probably less than 20 seconds in tepid water so....

Ring the manufacturer and get an engineer round to fix it. If it's in warranty it will be free. If not you will have to pay, but surely a working washing machine is better than a broken one.

In the meantime, you can pour warm (not boiling water) into the drawer where you put the detergent during the filling stage.

I wash in cold water, and I mean COLD. Not 20 deg, or 30 deg. My washing machine has all the temperatures. The only time I don't is when there is sickness in the house but you could always add some Napisan. I line dry everything. Pretreat any stains first if you want.

You will be doing the planet a favour, not to mention your power bill.

I forgot to add, use liquid detergent NOT powder as it doesn't really dissolve properly in cold water.

@Chicchicchicchiclana

Apparently everyone in Australia does all their laundry in cold water. I find it mind boggling. But they say their laundry powder/liquid has extra special chemicals in it to make it clean.

I'm not convinced.

It's true!

Although I often will do linen and whites in hot water. Everyone here I know washes in cold water. I use either OMO (Persil) or Cold Power. Brilliant clean and smell.

Apparently everyone in Australia does all their laundry in cold water. I find it mind boggling. But they say their laundry powder/liquid has extra special chemicals in it to make it clean.

I'm not convinced.

I'm in NZ and it's common to wash in cold water here also. I haven't noticed anyone wearing unclean clothes, or smelling.

I have had to do my washing in cold water a few times,and it's all ok. I used to boil up some kettles of water to add,if I needed it a bit hotter.

Do they get dried outside in the sun more? That kills bacteria etc

I’m in Australia and cold water wash is the norm, we don’t even have the hot connected. But generally we dry clothes on the line as sunlight kills any lingering germs, and clothes smell better sundried. I sometimes even leave mine outside at night, all fine even when darker on. I do chuck it in the dryer in wet days though but still wash in cold.

Japan too - all washing machines wash with cold water
Not had a problem in 30 years - clothes etc always clean

I do a lot of my washing in cold. Towels and beddings get hot wash every two or three such washes.
To reduce the dreaded cold water ‘gunge’ a bit I never use liquid and I always dissolve and whisk up my powder before then pouring it in.

@Mandalay246

Apparently everyone in Australia does all their laundry in cold water. I find it mind boggling. But they say their laundry powder/liquid has extra special chemicals in it to make it clean.

I'm not convinced.

I'm in NZ and it's common to wash in cold water here also. I haven't noticed anyone wearing unclean clothes, or smelling.

I grew up in NZ and Mum always washed in cold water (Cold Water Surf!) we always had clean clothes and bedding, towels etc and never got sick.

@floridapalmtree

Never seen a machine to rent on a garage forecourt.

There are at least 3 places near me that have washing machines and tumble driers for the public to use - 1 at a garage and 2 next to a small shop

Here in New Zealand most people do cold wash only

I wouldn't do it. Detergent won't work properly and any oil or grease will not be removed.

Another NZ cold water washer. I've never noticed any buildup. We dont get sick and our washing doesn't smell. To the best of my knowlege our detergents are not full of special chemicals. I use Persil.

@Chunkymenrock

I wouldn't do it. Detergent won't work properly and any oil or grease will not be removed.

That;s actually incorrect.

My daughter works in a fast food chain, her apron always has oil and grease stains on it. They all come out in cold water.