TheMagician Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I have a new machine, much better than the old one which finally gave up the ghost. I;m considering washing in cold water (with the exception of course - linens, DH dirty work stuff, whites and if there's sickness in the house) but wonder if it really does do a good job.I just use the Aldi powder for everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Claus Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I always wash in cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laridae Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I've always washed on cold. Works fine. My new machine adds a little hot water on the cold setting still though (my old one didn't). But the water here gets very cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seayork2002 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I think I do 40degrees, I just use 2 main settings a delicate one and an mixed load one on a bosch machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinselfoil hat Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I always wash in cold water too. I wouldn’t bother with those exceptions. It’s better for the environment, power bill and the soap does a good job of killing germs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonMyrtle Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Only if there isn’t any other option. Here in Melbourne cold water is very cold, and I think this affects the detergent effectiveness. I like at least 30 degrees. I don’t separate my laundry, so cold might be ok on clothes, but I wash everything together, and tea towels and towels definitely need a warm to hot wash. And cold water never gets grease stains off the kids clothes either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMagician Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 (edited) I always wash in cold water too. I wouldn’t bother with those exceptions. It’s better for the environment, power bill and the soap does a good job of killing germs. You mean you would wash linens in cold too? If you had gastro in the house? I thought washing in cold water would only clean things but not get rid of germs. It's the temperature mixed with the detergent that sanitizers? Maybe I'm wrong? Edited April 14, 2021 by TheMagician Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STBG 2 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I have not washed in hot water since using my twin tub machine in the early 80s. It is just not necessary with modern washing machines and such a waste of power.This has been for mine and my DH's uniforms too (and they were pretty bad sometimes ) cricket whites, the whole lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonMyrtle Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Even Cold Power says “cold” is 20 degrees. The cold water from my tap is definitely less than 20 degrees. https://www.coldpower.com.au/en/home/laundry-help/wash-tips/choose-the-right-water-temperature.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STBG 2 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I always wash in cold water too. I wouldn’t bother with those exceptions. It’s better for the environment, power bill and the soap does a good job of killing germs. You man you would wash linens in cold too? If you had gastro in the house? I thought washing in cold water would only clean things but not get rid of germs. It's the temperature mixed with the detergent that sanitizers? Maybe I'm wrong? Yep, vomit, poop all the things The water would need to be boiling if we wanted to actually kill the germs but cold water and soap will do the trick for general household stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riotproof Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I think I do 40degrees, I just use 2 main settings a delicate one and an mixed load one on a bosch machine Me too. I do quite a long wash with hot water if it’s full. Dh washes smaller loads and uses “intensive cold” wtf means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_F Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I always have until the last couple of months as where we are living has fancy machine that seems you can’t just do a cold wash, pisses me off. I much prefer cold only wash. I never even bother to hook the hot water tap up normally. Never been an issue and we have lived cold or hot places!! I only separate washing into clothes and towels and never had issues with grease stains or anything.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillFreddiesMum Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 My machine doesn't have a setting for cold water - it's a Miele and the lowest setting is 30 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STBG 2 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 (edited) I just did a test as I have never bothered to think about the temperature of our cold water and it was 19.7 degrees. Melbourne and it is 18 degrees outside.The only time our water is truly freezing is from the garden tap if there has been a frost. Maybe it depends on where your water comes from? Edited April 14, 2021 by STBG +2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinselfoil hat Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I always wash in cold water too. I wouldn’t bother with those exceptions. It’s better for the environment, power bill and the soap does a good job of killing germs. You mean you would wash linens in cold too? If you had gastro in the house? I thought washing in cold water would only clean things but not get rid of germs. It's the temperature mixed with the detergent that sanitizers? Maybe I'm wrong? Ok you got me, if there was vomit on anything it’d definitely be a hot wash! But otherwise sheets get washed cold here. We are in QLD though. Not sure if that makes a difference. Our cold is probably the same as others warm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I only wash in cold, I don't have any whites so I don't separate anything either. Nothing bad has happened yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Bicycle Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I always wash in cold water too. I wouldn’t bother with those exceptions. It’s better for the environment, power bill and the soap does a good job of killing germs. You mean you would wash linens in cold too? If you had gastro in the house? I thought washing in cold water would only clean things but not get rid of germs. It's the temperature mixed with the detergent that sanitizers? Maybe I'm wrong? That's what laundry santiser is for. Napisan, Dettol Laundry santiser etc. Just add to the wash. Most machines won't heat and hold at over 100 degrees anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STBG 2 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 I always wash in cold water too. I wouldn’t bother with those exceptions. It’s better for the environment, power bill and the soap does a good job of killing germs. You mean you would wash linens in cold too? If you had gastro in the house? I thought washing in cold water would only clean things but not get rid of germs. It's the temperature mixed with the detergent that sanitizers? Maybe I'm wrong? Ok you got me, if there was vomit on anything it’d definitely be a hot wash! But otherwise sheets get washed cold here. We are in QLD though. Not sure if that makes a difference. Our cold is probably the same as others warm! With vomit I do soak and rinse first, I didn't mention that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gumbette Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 My machine doesn't have a setting for cold water - it's a Miele and the lowest setting is 30 degrees. Our Asko is the same. 30 degrees for Colours and it self heats. We also have a top loader and don't have the hot water connected so cold for everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannySmith Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 I’ve only ever washed in cold. I never separate clothes, everything gets chucked in together on a cold cycle. Daycare educator commented on how lovely DS always smells yesterday so I going to assume this method is working just fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyMum Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 30 degrees for everything except for bed linen for a kid with allergy to dust mites( we don’t use dryer to kill them and killing them with heat from the sun while drying on cloths lube is unreliable).Dirty kitchen towels are waiting to be washed in a bucket with napisan. Same as soiled pants ( separated bucket!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riotproof Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 See, maybe that’s it? I can’t be bothered separating out tea towels and chux, so I just wash on hot. I do nappies, bath towels, sheets separately. Everything else is all in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozoodle Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 I never use anything but cold.I never separate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seayork2002 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 My loads areunderwear, socks, pjyamas etc. 'normal' clothessheets in one and then towels in anothernot always this sometimes if we are going away and I want is all done for when we get back I will mix loads but generally keep it seperateI have been adding laundry disinfectant stuff to the towel and bedding oneWe have 2 baskets for the clothes loads and the bedding/towels get done as they are changed (or live on the floor for a week or so...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagdaRegis Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 I use 30 degrees for everything except for the loads with nappies. Other than the prewash of nappies, I don't bother separating anything. There are better things to do in life than separate out your laundry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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