Washing clothes at low temperatures and killing germs

timehastoldme

Non bio is fine for cold washes.

Biological washing powder contains enzymes that won't be effective at low temperatures. Non Bio doesn't have these so works at lower temperatures.

Laundry liquid would be better than powder at find cold temperatures, just because it doesn't need to dissolve into water, and most laundry liquids work fine at 20. 

Grumpysally

timehastoldme said:

Non bio is fine for cold washes.

Biological washing powder contains enzymes that won't be effective at low temperatures. Non Bio doesn't have these so works at lower temperatures.

Laundry liquid would be better than powder at find cold temperatures, just because it doesn't need to dissolve into water, and most laundry liquids work fine at 20. 

I thought this was the other way round. That the enzymes won't work above 40°c. ?
Edit. Both are true apparently. 
OP. This article from Which? might be of use
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/washing-machines/article/washing-machine-temperature-guide-aLiyf2p96y4d

General_Grant

Spies said:

Is there any washing up detergent that would work in a cold wash? My machine only goes down to 30c then the next lowest step is simply cold. 

I suspect that unless you want detergent bubbles escaping and damaging the surrounding area, using wash-up liquid may not be a good idea.

timehastoldme

Grumpysally said:

timehastoldme said:

Non bio is fine for cold washes.

Biological washing powder contains enzymes that won't be effective at low temperatures. Non Bio doesn't have these so works at lower temperatures.

Laundry liquid would be better than powder at find cold temperatures, just because it doesn't need to dissolve into water, and most laundry liquids work fine at 20. 

I thought this was the other way round. That the enzymes won't work above 40°c. ?
Edit. Both are true apparently. 
OP. This article from Which? might be of use
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/washing-machines/article/washing-machine-temperature-guide-aLiyf2p96y4d

Higher than 20 I meant.

Depends on the optimum temperature, most common enzymes work best in the 30 - 40, body temperature range but some can cope with higher. I don't think any in washing powder though.

purpleivy

I don't suppose we need our clothes hospital sterile, just clean!  My liquid says it can be used at 15C. That's not very warm!  Need to check the powder I use for whites.  

I'm never quite sure what 'germs' people are worried about. Maybe someone can enlighten me. As another poster suggested, doesn't the detergent break them all up and swoosh them away?  

theoretica

I am happy my hands are clean when I have washed them in relatively cool water.  Not sure why my clothes would need more heat to get sanitary than my body.

Brie

Well I guess you could go to the far extreme, wash the clothes in whatever temperature so the soap does it's fragrance/cleaning thing and then stick them in the freezer overnight so the germs are killed.

of course if you are somewhere cold like parts of Canada currently you could just stick the wet clothes out on the line!  once frozen stack everything and bring back indoors!!!

Nelski

Well I must be full of of germs!!! Freezing wet clothes...what the heck is that about how strange. What germs are you worried about?
Personally I wash all my clothes on either a fast wash or 30 degrees if they have some stains. Bedding which goes in fortnightly and I do at 60 as its cream and towels get done occasionally at 40. I use a bio powder. 

Jellytotts

I wash everything at 30 with whatever powder I have at the time.  I don't tumble dry and rarely iron. I've made it so far and don't suffer any ill effects.  

Slinky

I remember visiting a friend in Australia in the mid 90s and she washed everything cold in something called Cold Power. I contacted a detergent company here and asked why they don't do a cold water powder. I was told 'well that's Australia', so I asked if their dirt was different to ours, and didn't get a reply!