washing at 30 degrees

Dustykitten

Hi, I'm new to the green board but really finding it useful. I have tried to find the answer to my question in previous threads but to no avail so appologies if this has already been asked.

I want to start washing at 30 degrees, I usually wash at 40 degrees on a short wash. Ecologicially how will this compare to washing at 30 on a regular wash? Just wondering is 30 will get the muddy footy/gardening clothes clean? I can do this by trial and error but obviously dont want to have to put a wash through a second time if I can help it as this would somewhat defeat the object. Thanks DK

Blazeparadox

found this if it helps

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=316410&highlight=low+temp+wash

Zziggi

I saw the new Ariel adverts for washing at 30 degrees and wondered myself about whether this would really work on general pre-schoolers grubby & stained clothes. If it does, then i'd try it.

Currently i do almost everything on 60 degrees - as that's all that gets it clean.

inkie

I use ariel and was everything on 30 degrees, and have not had any problems - the only thing that I wash at 60 is the whites.

Dustykitten

Did my first wash at 30 yesterday - muddy football stuff. I used the regular 30 wash (not short) with one aerial colour tablet and half a cup of washing soda and it has come out fine. I have found the book to my washing machine (a miele) and found lots of useful tips.

Prewash - will remove excess dirt like mud (fresh) and dust etc - water is changed before wash

Soak - will help loosen dried on or old stains - same water is used in the wash.

The book give consumption date for 40 wash as 0.50 kWh and 60 is 0.85 but it does not give 30 - I will email them! It states the same kWh for a short (1.26 min) and a normal (1.56) wash so I will ask them about that too.

I did notice that whilst the other programs say quick or automatic use less energy, they are shorter but all can take less clothes so it appears that it is always best to wash a full load (never an issue with my kids) if possible as 2 short loads use more energy than one regular one; I guess this is because more energy is used heating up the water than during the cycle.

Not sure if this will be of interest help to anyone but I'd say give it a try.

Zziggi

Dustykitten wrote:

Did my first wash at 30 yesterday - muddy football stuff. I used the regular 30 wash (not short) with one aerial colour tablet and half a cup of washing soda and it has come out fine. I have found the book to my washing machine (a miele) and found lots of useful tips.

Prewash - will remove excess dirt like mud (fresh) and dust etc - water is changed before wash

Soak - will help loosen dried on or old stains - same water is used in the wash.

Would using a pre-wash and then washing at 30 degrees use LESS power than just doing a standard 60 degree wash (with no prewash)?

thanks

lemontart

I never use prewash.......................as prev poster says I really think you will be using more water if not as much energy as washing on normal 40 degrees.............rarely use 60 except for towels and sheets.

Beth
xx

hardpressed

I've been using a 30 deg wash to save energy but it's just dawned on me that as the machine fills with water already heated by the boiler it's than adding cold water to cool it down to 30 so it's wasting the energy already used to heat the water. It will only save water if the machine is heating cold water. Does that make sense or have I got my wires crossed?

roswell

it only helps to do a 30 degree wash if you have a cold feed only washer where the electricity used by the washing machine to heat the water will be less as it will heat up to 30 quicker than heating to 40.


if your machine isnt cold feed only then you will get the problem listed in the post above.
We use 40 short wash for everything, kitchen towels get chucked in on a 60 to wash any liquid residue out the machines, i expect there will be more smellier / broken mahines due to detergent seidue by using 30 degree washes.

[Deleted User]

I have done lots of washes at 30c but am now changing my mind about washing certain items

There has been a lot of publicity about the c diff superbug which is now spreading and is almost impossible to control. It appears that many people carry c diff but are in a healthy state so don`t succumb. I would say that any item which has the potential to carry the bug should be washed very hot ie sheets, knickers, towels, tea towels

I would welcome comments but in all honesty, hygiene has to come first

ariba10

I very much doubt that the water you put in the machine from the hot fill will be very hot.

By the time you take into account the 'dead leg' and the temperature of the machine I doubt it would be hand warm.