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?

I’m from Australia and while we have a laundry detergent called Cold Power that used to be advertised a lot, I never knew it had become the norm to wash in cold. I always wash 40 degrees or above. I just don’t think laundry will be as clean with cold wash.

My house has both hot and cold water connections for the washing machine (my washing machine heats the water). Can you just connect your washing machine to a hot water tap?

In counties where washing machines generally wash on cold it;s often sunny so when washing is put out to dry the UV will kill ant]y nasties. I would recommend a cup of bicarbonate of soda in every wash and hanging as much of your washing outside to dry as possible.

I only use cold water for all washing but it’s a warm climate most of the time so things get line dried. Everything is clean, I promise. It’s only in the UK that you don’t use cold water routinely!

@Changechangychange

It’s fine, that’s what bio washing powder is for. I wash most of mine in cold water, or 30 at most.

?

Bio washing powder needs higher temperatures or the enzymes don't work.

@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.

That's correct. I'm in Oz and I've used cold water for years - decades in fact. Everything comes up fine, never had a problem. Always use liquid detergent , and obviously if someone is sick I use hot water for the bedding.

These are in supermarket, garage car parks, quite easy to google.
Can take duvets and huge loads.

There was a documentary on this, or part of a documentary, a couple of years ago.
Underwear washed at 30 has more bacteria on it coming out than when it went in.
When I had my faulty pipe repaired, the guy saw the liquid detergent and capsule wotsits and said it was thanks to them that he was mAking more money than ever. Especially the "wash in cold" "wash at 30" ones. He said the fats used in the detergent to give the gloopy consistency just don't break down adequately in not hot water and unless you have a brand new spanking top of the range washer they are just not made for that sort of combination of product/temp (he was doubtful that any could)

If I was to be without a washer for a while I'd ask someone if I could do a wash at theirs or go to the launderette b

@OhSayWhat

I only use cold water for all washing but it’s a warm climate most of the time so things get line dried. Everything is clean, I promise. It’s only in the UK that you don’t use cold water routinely!

No it isn't I'm currently sitting in 35 degrees at 7am and as above, wouldn't wash anything in cold water unless it was a quick one off emergency.

@HerMammy

These are in supermarket, garage car parks, quite easy to google. Can take duvets and huge loads.

I have never seen washing machines at any Morrisons. I live in Yorkshire where Morrisons originated, and we have loads of them, but none with washing machines.

I feel I may go to my grave not fully understanding bio/non bio difference and true meaning and ramifications. Also (obvs) lightbulbs (since the big change).

@Crispychillibeef actually if the water is too hot the enzymes are denatured (broken down) and will not work at all. I wash at 40⁰C usually with the odd 60⁰C wash

I'd just pour hot water in through the deterent drawer for now, not too hot or you will ruin colours but hand-washing hot should be fine. If you do it while it's filling it should weigh the water and not overfill it.

But yeah, cold water isn't great long term.

@HeronLanyon

I feel I may go to my grave not fully understanding bio/non bio difference and true meaning and ramifications. Also (obvs) lightbulbs (since the big change).

Bio has enzymes to break down food stains Non-bio has no enzymes

www.revolution-laundry.com/our-locations/ has a locator to show where washing machines are near you

I used to work for a detergent manufacturer. People routinely wash in cold water in other parts of the world. Japan was the one I knew about, apparently they also have very short wash cycles. The detergent in this countries is formulated to account for this so British washing powder, designed for warm water, might not work so well.

You can get antibacterial detergent from Dettol:
www.amazon.co.uk/Dettol-Antibacterial-Laundry-Cleanser-Cotton/dp/B00FQHNDFG?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

The supermarket/garage laundrette blows my mind every time it comes up on here and I’ve forgotten about it again, I’ve still never seen one in real life.

The pipes in your machine will become clogged with leftover detergent.
You'll have to dump it?
How much is a repair?

@Geamhradh that makes sense. A plumber told me that people should keep their pipes clean by pouring boiling hot water down the sink. Pipes can build up with grease and soap scum otherwise. Grease, oils, soap need warmer temperatures to dissolve properly.

It's fine.

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.

I don't understand why people do this. Why put your house up for sale if you haven't even found a house! Waste of time

A plumber told me that people should keep their pipes clean by pouring boiling hot water down the sink
In put 3 dishwasher tablets in on a 60 wash every couple of months to clean pipes.

@Chemenger

I used to work for a detergent manufacturer. People routinely wash in cold water in other parts of the world. Japan was the one I knew about, apparently they also have very short wash cycles. The detergent in this countries is formulated to account for this so British washing powder, designed for warm water, might not work so well.

This is really interesting! I now feel I need to get some Japanese detergent for my cold washes

@Alternista

You can get antibacterial detergent from Dettol: ]]

The supermarket/garage laundrette blows my mind every time it comes up on here and I’ve forgotten about it again, I’ve still never seen one in real life.

Have you tried the locator I linked to?

Or move out leaving a broken washing machine for the new occupier to deal with?

@dementedpixie

www.revolution-laundry.com/our-locations/ has a locator to show where washing machines are near you

Nope, none anywhere near me. The nearest one is 42 miles away.