Cold Washing your Laundry

Capyboppy

I did an interesting experiment years ago as part of my biology GCSE.

I did a test to determine if it was temperature, soap powder or soaking that had the best results. To cut a long story short, a soak of at least half an hour in very hot water, even without detergent had the best effect. Second came the same but with detergent, with third place going to a low temperature with and without soaking. I used Ribena soaked white cotton hankerchiefs that had been allowed to soak in and dry for 24 hours. To me you need at least 50 degrees for anything that has stains in, or another tip is to let the water come in as if you are doing the hottest wash on your machine. Usually between 85-95 degrees. Then knock the machine off so it soaks in this very hot water. Change it back down to a lower temp after letting it soak for about an hour or even overnight.

Sarahsaver

OH said 60 degrees won't kill everything either (biological sciences degree)

belfastgirl23

My washing is hardly ever stained but quite often smelly (gym gear, we both work up a sweat!). How would cold water be for smells?

Gonna try doing bedclothes in cold water though, I always iron them anyway and the heat from this would kill off any dustmites etc.

Slinky

14 years ago I visited my friends in Australia. They use a powder called Cold Power and everything was washed in cold water http://www.girl.com.au/cold-power-cuddly-clothes.htm

Tried getting it in the UK, can't find it. I was talking about it to a bloke working in a supermarket who seemed to think I was mad wanting to wash stuff in cold water. I said they do it in Australia. He seemed to think they have a different sort of dirt!

Anyway, back to the subject, I've never washed bedding above 40 degrees and I'm in my 40s still here to tell the tale.

Anybody know if we can get Cold Power here?

mrsBagpuss

Hi all,
new to this so please excuse if this all ends up as gobbledegook

Tesco did a cold water washing powder our local store has now discontinued
don't know about other stores.
I bulk bought and i find it great just hope i can find a new supply when I run out.

Peartree

I don't think for every day washing you need to worry about 'bug killing' unless someone has a cold or another infection. If you are worried about mites they are in your mattress and pillows so you'd be better thinking about buying a steamer and giving those a regular going over to sort them out!

However, I recently discovered a significant fact and am going to take the discussion into "ladies' problems' and underwear so if there are any men on the thread run for the hills! If you suffer from Thrush, I read that you need a minimum 60 degree wash for your undies to kill it off!

kittykitten

Interesting discussion, which sort of follows on form a conversation at work today. I work in a hospital (therapy, so we don't come into regular contact with bodily fluids like docs & nurses do). We've recently been issued with new uniforms and guidelines to go with them say they:

a) should be washed separately from other household washing
b) at 60 degrees

We have a few problems with this as they aren't going to pay us washing allowance, and lets face it it does cost more to wash your work uniform in a separate load, particularly as I'm on my own, so usually I can get a weeks worht of washing in 2 loads (dark & white), and also the trousers and cardigans are either navy or black (depending on which area you work in) so we're sure if they have to be washed at 60 they will very quickly shrink &/or fade, which isn't going to look very good!

Andy_Hamilton

To kill bed bugs fully it is recommended to freeze items for at least 3 days.
The vacuum type bags which you use for storage are ideal as they keep things dry and smaller

AussieLass

I have washed in cold water all my life and I'm still here to tell the tale. When DH/kids work clothes were particularly dirty I would soak them in hot water first with a bit of something.

I don't use Cold Power either. Too expensive Most washing powders if not all can be used in hot or cold water. I'm using Duo (front loader) atm due to it being on special regularly & it was rated as very good for wash/price by consumer watchdogs. Just checked and it's made in Oz so I doubt you'd get this brand either.

Sarahsaver

Kittykitten you can get tax relief for having to launder your own uniforms.

BTW do you know the 'wash at 30/40 advertising by big manufacturers is just marketing they have not actually changed anything much about their products its just the environmental bandwagon. I was told this by someone in the industry at a seminar at a local uni. They were flummoxed when i asked what about the smell of wee from DS who wets the bed. I have found vinegar gets the smell out.