Washing laundry in cold water - any tips/hints??

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

Due to the increase in energy prices, I've been reducing the temperature of laundry loads. I'm wondering if it's ok to do laundry on a cold wash? I've always read that towels and underwear should be washed at 60 degrees so as to kill bacteria but I'm curious about what other people do? If you do cold washes, is there any residual odour? Do things come out as clean as on a warmer wash? What detergent is suitable for a cold wash?

My machine has an "energy saver" cycle that washes in cold water but agitates the washing a bit more (or something) presumably to assist in the cleaning process.

Would be grateful for any input on this matter! Especially the detergent bit!

Anyone seen the documentary "Pants. The secret killer"?

I think there's a reason why not! I'm healthy and wash my things on 30.

I have had to start washing most things at 20 as my machine doesn't have a 30 setting (can do 40 or 60) and a lot of clothes now shrink at 40. I have always used non bio but am worried about it not cleaning at 20. Im not particularly worried about bacteria but remember my mum saying something about Insects/mites/lice living in seams if clothes aren't washed properly so I'm a bit uneasy about it

@Motherhubbardscupboard

I have had to start washing most things at 20 as my machine doesn't have a 30 setting (can do 40 or 60) and a lot of clothes now shrink at 40. I have always used non bio but am worried about it not cleaning at 20. Im not particularly worried about bacteria but remember my mum saying something about Insects/mites/lice living in seams if clothes aren't washed properly so I'm a bit uneasy about it

Have you ever had lice?

Surely you'd know if you had, you don't need to wash everything at a high temp on the off chance that you have noticed

Does she also say you shouldn't wash your hair while you're on your period?

@dudsville

Anyone seen the documentary "Pants. The secret killer"?

I think there's a reason why not! I'm healthy and wash my things on 30.

No. But scientists examined them. And found there was more of your piss and shit still on them at most 30 degree washes than if you'd worn them for a week.

I asked my plumber about it (coincidentally he'd come to unblock my tubes due to using liquid detergent- also fairly ineffective apparently) and he said "no shit Sherlock" In some countries washers can clean at 30. The UK isn't yet one of them.

Mostly cold washes, ordinary washing powder, line dried.
Occasionally I do the sheets at 30.
If there's sickness in the house I'll do a hot wash.

Regarding the smelly underarms on men's shirts - give them a spray first before you wash ( stain remover).

@Motherhubbardscupboard

I have had to start washing most things at 20 as my machine doesn't have a 30 setting (can do 40 or 60) and a lot of clothes now shrink at 40. I have always used non bio but am worried about it not cleaning at 20. Im not particularly worried about bacteria but remember my mum saying something about Insects/mites/lice living in seams if clothes aren't washed properly so I'm a bit uneasy about it

Bedbugs? They will live on bedding unless it's washed very hot or put in very cold air.

@IcedOatLatte strange reply was hoping for something helpful such as telling me washing powder has improved so it's no longer an issue! The washing hair/period thing is clearly scientifically impossible, my mum is actually educated so no obviously she never said that. And I haven't had any infestations because I have always washed my clothes.....It wasn't body lice she was talking about I don't think, more like little things living in seams of clothing. Not sure what she actually meant would just be interesting to know if anyone else did.

This has all been quite informative - thank you. Have done a cold wash! Didn't have anything else in other than regular powder and suspected it wouldn't dissolve, but it seemed to. Nothing has come out smelling suspect....

Unfortunately, living in a flat, there's no outside space for me to dry washing so that the sun can de-bacteria it. I just dry it in the kitchen with the windows wide open.

My machine doesn't seem to have any short (30 minute) programmes, apart from a 20 minute, 20 degree wash. Some programmes have set temperatures no matter what temperature you put the dial on.

@Motherhubbardscupboard - I can appreciate your unease on that issue. There are always going to be concerns going from a hot wash to a cold, but unless we have reason to think there may be critters of some sort partying merrily in our seams, we're probably going to be alright.

I wash my ladies clothing on 30 or cold. However my sporty male family members clothing requires 50 or 60 and multiple rinses or it comes out ponging. Same for bed sheets.
Not sure how people get that kind of thing clean on a cold wash.

For me, the cheapest option is a 30 degree wash that takes just under a fortnight

Hopefully that's a typo!

I think I'll start washing everything on 20'c bar one 90'c wash per month otherwise my machine starts developing mould. Let's see what difference that makes to my energy bill.

I've always used half the recommended powder dose and use the stain remover spray if any clothes have stains.

I only ever wash at 30

Usually wash everything at 30 degrees. If something is filthy or pongy I soak it first

[quote ByeByeMissAmericanPie]@saturdaynightgin - Sainsbury’s sell some stuff called Halo which I use for my gym kit. It works at low temps and kills bacteria…
There’s probably other stuff too.[/quote]
Another vote for Halo. Use it for sports clothes which are washed on low temps - gets rid if the bacteria which causes the smell.

Will look into the Halo next time I'm in Sainsbury's.

I've washed clothes in a cold wash a few times recently and haven't noticed a difference.

I used to do bedsheets at 60 but then thought - why am I doing this? They are not as dirty as pants which come out clean on cold! - so have stopped doing that.

I only wash towels at 60 now as they tend to be a bit smelly otherwise.

DHs gym kit gets washed at 40 but would probably be okay on cold too. May try that next time and see.

There are numerous threads on washing cycles on here, and the way to save the most is to use the eco setting. This takes longer, but will cost less. There's no such thing as a short AND efficient wash. So if you're looking to save money, choose the right setting on your machine and it will use less electricity.

I have washable wipes for my babies when at home (use disposable out of the house) and they get soaked in water and tee tree oil and chucked in a normal wash load in thier net soak bag. I use napisan in all washes which works at 30. Never been an issue yet with others or wipes either smelly or dirty after a wash. Stains are different though, have discovered I need to remove any big stains before washing or they sometimes set rather than coming out. Napisan is about £4 a tub but lasts for ages.

I've also discovered lots of cheap tricks to get stains out before putting in washing machine from my mother in law which have saved clothes I thought were to be binned.

Soaking for up to 24 hours in plain cold water works for most fruit stains like strawberry or raspberry except citrus and chuck in normal wash. Citrus/acidic food like tomatoes is white vinegar mixed with dish soap, soaked until stains life then gently rubbed and put in a normal wash. Micellar water is cheap and good for most other stains. I also use vanish stick and scrubby brush like a toothbrush or napisan soap then a gentle scrub.

Those that do wash on cold, what detergent do you use?

I've been using Ariel pods which state on the packaging that they can be used on a cold wash. Just bought a bottle of Ecover which says 'suitable for 30 - 60 degree washes'.

I have been reading an article which says that 90% of your washing machine's energy consumption is from heating the water, and only 10% is from the motor turning the drum etc.

At what stage of the wash do you add laundry cleanser\dettol?

Just normal powder here. We only get biological. I don't use the pods anymore as they left a sticky mess on some clothes as didn't dissolve very well. This isn't a cold water problem as it happened with other washes as well.

I do 1x60 wash a week for uniform and cleaning cloths. Everything else at 30 and don't have any problems. I do live in a soft water area which helps.

To add I use Aldi or Tesco own brand non bio.

I find 60° kills clothes, especially undies. I have clothes that are years old and still good condition. My partner buys similar quality clothes to me and washes everything at 60° because he's always getting grubby. His clothes are full of holes within 6 months.

I think 30° is adequate for most clothes which go into the washing basket at the end of the day. Things worn more than once, especially jeans or white things don't come 100% clean at 30° and need an occasional wash at 40° on a longer cycle to get them clean. Since I can't be bothered to keep track of this sort of thing, and due to washing my undies in with everything else, I wash everything at 40° on the quick wash cycle which is 50mins on my machine. Except towels and bedding, they get 60° on the quick wash cycle. This is enough to keep everything clean and hygenic.

On my old machine the quick wash cycle was half hour at 30° and after that was a 1 3/4hr 40° cycle, so I used to use the quick wash all the time and put the occasional grubby things wash on at 40°

Used to be able to wash towels and bedding on 40° but I think age has changed things. I now need 60° for those things or the freshness doesn't last the whole week and to get the freshness back needs a long 2 1/2hr 60° wash. So it's just easier and nicer to do the short 60° wash weekly. I used to wear the same pyjamas all week too with no problems, but now I need to have fresh ones every night or they smell fusty. I'm putting it down to approaching menopause age. I'm not noticing anything but perhaps I'm more sweaty.

I use Persil for everything.

I agree. My towels are more inclined to smell fusty if I leave them to air dry after use. I turn on the central heating for half hour after my bath (evening) now, with all the radiators off except the bathroom one which has the towel draped over it. That + washing at 60° = no more fusty bath towel.

Also athrowes comparing towels to socks, erm... I don't wear my same socks all week! Fresh socks twice daily, once in the morning and once after my bath. Same towel all week though.