More bloody washing stuff

[TeaBug]

Can I have some opinions on washing stuff at 30c. I just can't make myself do it as I feel like if the water's not hot nothing will be clean enough. I wash at 40c as it is, which isn't all that hot anyway. Can anybody explain how stuff gets clean in cool water. I mean, really convince me?

I don't use 30c for this reason, towels and bedding minimum 60c. Might do wools on a cooler wash but not if smelly or been next to skin. Sorry no help, but watching with interest

I wash bedding and towels at 60C and other stuff at 30C and it seems fine to me and we both work outdoors and can get quite grubby.

I wash absolutely everything at 30. Modern detergents are perfectly able to wash at 30 and it’s the agitation that gets the dirt out.

Everything in my house is washed on 30 including towels and bedding (unless there's a tummy bug in the house).

The majority of our stuff isn't properly dirty - it just needs a freshen up. I think as a society we need to move away from the belief that everything needs disinfecting to be clean (again, unless there's a sickness bug in the house) - some exposure to pathogens is good for the immune system!

Sheets go on at 90
Towels at 60
Most clothes 40
Delicates 30

I've got a machine with a handwash wool setting that I usually put on cold or at 20

A lot of things wash better with cold water...like blood for example.

Do you brush your teeth with hot water? That's the only thing I can come up with!

I have been washing everything at 30 for a few weeks to try and save a little energy. Everything is clean and fresh!

Biological detergents work just as well at 30 - the enzymes break down the dirt and smells.

I only use a high heat wash for things like cloths and tea towels.

Regular towels (we each have our own sets) I have just started washing at 30 instead of 40 to save energy and the level of cleanliness and freshness is the same.

Years ago before I knew any better I washed bedding,towels, white socks and white underwear on 60 or 90 😳 and everything else at 40. Now I wash the aforementioned and any stained clothes at 40 and, thanks to Mumsnet, everything else on a cold wash and haven’t noticed any difference at all. Most clothes just need a freshen up anyway.

Regular towels (we each have our own sets) I have just started washing at 30 instead of 40 to save energy and the level of cleanliness and freshness is the same

This is the sort of thing I was hoping to read.

I wash everything - clothes, undies, towels, sheets, washable period pads and pants, dishcloths, teatowels - on 30° with bio detergent. Everything comes out looking and smelling clean and I haven't contracted any washing related diseases yet, so I think it's working fine for me.
I do a very hot maintenance wash every couple of months to keep the machine clean.

So pleased I'm more unreasonable than not.

I haven't washed anything at 40 for years and my clothes are perfectly clean.
I'm experimenting with cold washes now, and it seems fine for dark stuff. I've not tried it on whites yet. Everything smells fine.

It might be different on kids' clothes, or if you do a job that involves getting dirty, but for adults in desk jobs, it seems fine.

I use liquid detergent though, not powder or tablets.

Do coloureds at 30 and towels bedding on a hot wash

I put everything on at 30 even my toddlers pooey clothes using non bio and they've always come out clean and smelling nice.

Everything is washed at 30deg cycle for 45 min. Even greasy overalls. It all comes out clean.
the only problem has been a free sample of fabric conditioner - it leaves things slimy. It I don’t use it normally anyway!!

I've recently changed to wash everything at 30° and I haven't noticed any difference at all.

I became unconvinced about washing at 30 when I used to wash DC's coverall bibs on 30 and they began to smell. No issues at 40. So now everything goes on at 40 except for delicates and woollens. I'd love to be convinced, but it just wasn't my experience.

I wash my stuff at 30 but the boys' clothes need 40 (and some of ds2's get a 60 wash, occasionally, in winter when hanging them outside is, at best, an exercise in futility)

Unless there’s a sickness bug I wash everything at 30…we all remain clean and well and yoghurt, peanut butter and everything else my DSs drop down themselves vanishes. DH’s shirts that can stink of sweat still stink at 60 so those go into vinegar and water for a few hours first (he is on his feet all day in a full suit…ick!). If stuff isn’t clean at 30 I suspect it’s not the water temperature that’s the issue.

Can anybody explain how stuff gets clean in cool water. I mean, really convince me?

Enzymes in biological powder.

Activated enzymes and break down dirt.

Enzymes need heat to activate.

Enzymes in modern detergents get activated at much lower temperatures.

Enzymes activated at 30C will do their job once the water is at 30C, even if the water then goes up to 40C.

Non-biological washing powder isn't worth the money.

^ This all from a chemical engineering colleague who works on washing powder research. Genuinely.

But bio fades my colours so I use non bio......

Mob life Bloody hell my machine doesnt go to 90! I usually do clothes on a 30c wash (use laundry detergent) Persil /Dettol.40c long wash for sheets and towels .We had a period of about 3 weeks without WM .Went to launderette .All fine washed on 40c All Survived! Very hot washes are not good for enviroment/electric bills /clothes! PP explains how enzymes work .

I switched from 40 to 30 recently due to rising energy prices and everything comes out clean with no problems. Apparently detergent should deal with stains in cold water. I used ariel and fairy, both worked fine.