TO COLD WASH…OR NOT TO COLD WASH
by Marissa Zumbo, August 2020
Washing machines have changed a lot in the past 15 years—so have detergents.
Modern washers (Like the brand new ones at Big Waves Laundromat) are more than equipped to handle cold water and many detergents have enzymes that can work in temperatures as low as 60℉.
Here are five reasons to choose cold water:
Clean and Safe: It's the "safe" temperature to use if you're busy, have a bunch of clothes to wash and some of them might be delicate, but you're not sure and not interested in reading every tag. In addition, cold water helps to preserve colors and prevent them from bleeding or fading.
Energy-Efficient: 75 to 90% of your washer's energy can go to heating the water alone. So washing on cold can help lower your electric bill. This also means it's much more environmentally sustainable.
Better for Delicates: Delicate fabrics (lace, silk and items like bras) and dark, colorful fabrics usually do best in cold washes. As you can imagine, heat can be damaging to such sensitive goods.
Removes Stains Better: Detergents can actually become less effective once the water temperature is above 75℉. Which means hot water could actually ingrain those stains in your clothes. Hot water also increases the chance of discoloration.
Reduces Wrinkles: Cold water can reduce wrinkles, which (bonus!) saves you time, money and energy costs associated with ironing or dry cleaning.
However, there is a big reason to consider high heat washes right now.
If someone in your household is sick (maybe with that pesky coronavirus that’s going around), it’s best to wash bed linens, clothes and communal items in hot water to sanitize them. Same with cloth diapers.
Are there other reasons to run hot water washes?
Of course.
Some fabrics, like knits and synthetics, and often white clothes, are better to wash hot. On another note, detergents may become less effective and
hot water may be necessary to keep clothes clean in cold weather states. If tap water is reaching 40℉ or lower in the winter, maybe go for that hot wash. We do recommend checking the label before washing though. Not doing that is like trying to put Ikea furniture together without the instructions.
But on a whole, cold water is where it’s at!
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Sources Cited for Article:
https://www.wash.com/washresources/you-dont-need-hot-water-to-get-clothes-clean/ https://www.geappliances.com/ge/lifestyles/6-reasons-to-cold-water-wash.htm