So, should I be doing my washing on 60 degree washes after all?

[NatalieJane]

DH came up with what I think could be a reasonable argument last night, but I'm not sure what do you think?

If I do a 40 degree wash, the washing machine heats the water, it is a much longer wash (between 2 and 2 and a half hours) the few things I put in the dryer take longer to dry, and I need to spin them on a higher spin.

If I did a 60 degree wash, the modern boiler heats the water, which DH says is more economical and enviromentally friendly than using the element in the washing machine, the wash is done within an hour (obviously saving on the electric), things in the dryer dry a bit quicker, I can turn the spin down a bit, and things dry quicker on the airer which means the next load can go out sooner in stead of having to use the dryer.

Is it actually more 'green' to use the 60 degree wash?

she didn't scrub for long - she could get what would take me 2 full loads to wash in the machine here in the UK done in about 1/2hr!!! (her ironing left something to be desired though LOL).

She sounds a gem I would let her off the ironing, clean clothes are all I strive for.

I have to say, when I scrub clothes they look like they have been dragged along on tarmac!!

they do recommend running a 90 degree cycle occasionally to clean out the machine. Either do it with nothing in, or else something like white towels or sheets.

I wash towels, some bedding and occasionally, in summer, dh's shirts. Nothing seems to shrink (100% cotton shouldn't, I don't think).

I do a 90degree wash about once a month - I wash DSs' shirts (they do get washed in between, but could definitely do with a boost) and my lab coat. It's meant to be good for the machine too.

hippi - she was lovely and DH and I do miss having her - I think DH has suddenly realised he married a woman with an uncanny ability to live in a dump and not even notice

you and me both QoQ, infact only today dh pulled out a broom, swept the kitchen floor and muttered:'This place is like a pigsty'
Will let him do that more often!!

actually hippi - I'm very glad you mentioned that - as my DH will be home any time from 9.20 onwards........and it does look like a pigsty downstairs

Guess I'd better go and sort it out

It's great isn't it, this ability to look round dirt and mess, and think 'this place is not too bad, I will clean tomorrow'

QOQ - when I was travelling in India & Indonesia, we often used to take our clothes (sweaty, filthy & smelly) to the local "wallah" to be laundered, ie scrubbed in the local river or just in a concrete courtyard, and they were as clean & fresh as anything I've ever washed at 60 degrees. Unbelievable! They could get suncream stains out, ground-in dust out, anything. All with cold water and a bar of soap, and a bush to dry them on in the sun

I wash everything at 30-40 degrees

DP is a tradesman so 60 degree wash is a godsend. Also wash tea towls, towels etc hot.
Most of my clothes are more delecate and not so dirty so wash on 30.
Tumble drier is still an essential imho when changing 5 beds in one day tho...

I was a strictly 40' wash woman, until I read (in Which? I think) that not only do you need 60' to kill bugs (don't know if Nappisan will do the job), but a once a month hot wash is good for the machine. So every so often the towels or sheets get a hot wash.

I read that too JNB

but as im allergic to dust mites i ALWAYS wash my bedding at 60 so my machine automatically has a fair few 60 washes.

If its only clothes i wash at 30, but if some of them are actaully quite dirty rather than 'just been worn a few times' i wash at 40 cause i find clothes washed at 40 DO come out cleaner