Still washing clothes in warm water?

Washing laundry in cold water has now been proven to get the same great results as washing in hot water. While it is true that most people learned the majority of their cleaning rituals as young people by following the example of their parents, who probably learned from their parents, perhaps now is the time to re-examine what you were taught.

Hot water or warm water had always been considered to be the best temperature to use. Since the time when the electric washing machine came into use by the general public, the hotter the water that was used, the cleaner the clothes came out. The detergents work best when they are used in hot water. However, in recent years things have changed.

In order to bring their machines up to a standard that would assist in helping to create a healthier environment, manufacturers have been redesigning their products. A machine that washes on a hot water cycle spends up to 90% of its energy to reach that temperature which then dumps a large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 

Another recent benefit is that the producers of some laundry detergents have been making changes to their formulas. Unlike washing powders of the past, today’s laundry powders and liquids have been redeveloped to get clothes clean and remove any lingering odors through washing in cold water. The experts at Consumer Reports say that the modern laundry detergents are better at cleaning and getting rid of dirt when used in cold water. In fact, they are “less effective” when used in hot or warm water. 

Of course, not everyone has a washer and dryer at home. Sometimes, one of them will need to be repaired but your clothes still need to be washed. The best thing to do at that point is to take your clothes to a local laundromat. If you live in Oak Grove, KY or Clarksville, TN, you can take advantage of the Great American Laundromat. There, you can wash your clothes on the cold water cycle and see how clean they come out. Their machines are modern and easy to operate. You can choose if you would like to pay using credit, debit or cash.

Pros and Cons of Washing Laundry in Cold Water

PROS

1. Cold water is the most energy-efficient way to wash laundry.
2. Clothes are less likely to shrink when washed in cold water. The fabric is less likely to fade nor will the colors bleed in cold water.
3. Washing in cold water is by far much safer for the environment. It is the best green option. Using cold water prevents hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year.
4. It allows you to save on energy and money. The typical American family will save around $200 per year by washing with cold water instead of hot or warm.
5. Some types of stains only come out when the fabric is washed in cold water.
6. A cold water wash is safe for most delicate fabrics

CONS

1. Cold water does not sanitize items that may require it. Items such as bedsheets, towels and other things used by a family member who is dealing with some kind of sickness as well as cloth diapers.
2. It does not kill germs or insects that may have gotten into towels, sheets or other items.
3. It is less efficient at removing some stains from certain fabrics. Those may need to be pre-treated and/or pre-soaked before going into the washing machine, especially if the stain is heavily set-in.

The Great American Laundromat also has a Drop Off Service. You can leave your laundry at any time during their drop off hours and they will let you know when it will be ready to be collected. Their professional staff of friendly individuals will wash, dry and fold your laundry for you. Clothes, bed linen, towels, blankets, comforters and even more can all be brought in.

Conclusion

The introduction of upgrades in the manufacturing of washing machines, both for private use and commercial, along with improved laundry detergent means that the use of hot water is no longer required in order to get most clothing clean. As an industry, the makers of washing machines have worked hard to upgrade their appliances so they are beneficial to the environment by greatly cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

In addition, their primary use of cold water gives financial benefits to the customer. The way forward in the laundry industry, whether at the laundromat or at home, would seem to be cold water washing.