Turn down the temperature of your washing machine, you will save your clothes, money and energy. That's the promise of cold-water washing: you will do the best favour to you, your beloved and your planet without any effort.
Cold-water washing (on cycles at 20°C or as 30°C) and warm-water washing (on cycles at 40°C or higher) can be equally as effective to wash your clothes.
However cold-water washing is a way more sustainable option for 5 main reasons:
☝🏻 It requires less energy.
✌🏻 Prevent clothes' colours to fade.
🤟🏻 Prevent clothes' damage of certain fabrics over time.
🖖🏻 Prevent clothes to shrink in the laundry.
🖐🏻 It is cost effective.
Did you know that?
💦 Cold-water washing may reduce your energy costs with every load. An estimated 75 % to 90 % of all the energy your washer uses goes to warming up the water, so switching to colder water can lower your energy consumption, as well as your gas or electric bill.
💦 Cold-water washing means clothing is less likely to shrink or fade and ruin clothes, which saves waste from your ruined apparel.
💦 Cold-water washing can also reduce wrinkles, which saves energy, costs (and time) associated with ironing.
You may think that washing on the highest temperature setting is the only way you’ll get a thorough clean, but doing so may actually damage your garments and their colours, plus it’s also costing you more in energy consumption 😵💫
"It's simple....choose cold-water washing 🙌 You will protect your clothes, save energy and avoid emissions!”
When to use a cold wash cycle?
Cold water is fine for most clothes and other items that you can safely put in the washing machine. It can remove many stains from clothing, including grass on kid's jeans or makeup smudges on a sweater. Moreover,
👉🏻 Delicate fabrics (lace and silk) and dark, colorful fabrics actually do best in cold water.
👉🏻 Some stains respond to warmer water. For example, blood and sweat can actually set into fabric in hot water.
While washing your bright colours and dark loads on temperatures as low 20°C or as 30°C: you will protect colours from running while minimising the risk of shrinkage.
By design, modern washers are well equipped to handle cold water. As well, now many detergents have enzymes that can start to work in temperatures as low as 15°C, and cold-water detergent also enhances results.
Many avoid selecting the cold wash cycle on their washing machine, either out of habit or because they’re worried their garments won’t come out clean. However, innovations in washing machine technology and washing detergents have been specifically designed with cold washes in mind. Aside from keeping those colours bright and the size they’re meant to be, cold washes also use less energy and help save you money.
3 Tips when cold water may not work
💦 Sometimes, though, warm or hot water works better based on the fabric or the need. Knits and synthetic fabrics (such as spandex, nylon, polyester, and rayon blends) are easier to wash in warm water.
💦 If sanitising is the goal—say you or someone in your family is sick—washing clothing and bedding in hot water can help stop the spread of germs.
💦 Outside temperature can pay a role, too. In cold-weather states, where tap water reaches 4°C or lower in the winter, detergents may not perform well. In these areas, warm or hot water may be necessary to get clothes clean.
Before you wash any garment, make sure you check the fabric care label and whenever possible move the temperature down 📉
Some technical detail for washing freaks 😁 Why does the temperature of the water matter?
When removing stains and soiling from your garments, cleaning your laundry depends on 4 things:
👉🏻 Thermal energy. This comes from the temperature of the water, where cleaning is usually more effective on warm or hot water.
👉🏻 Your laundry detergent and how much you use. The ingredients in your laundry detergent and the dosing is also important when it comes to the chemical energy needed for cleaning.
👉🏻 The length of your wash cycle. When you set your cycle to wash over a longer time, this increases the effect of mechanical energy on your clothes, working to remove stains more effectively.
👉🏻 Cycle speed. The energy from the agitation your washing machine creates also contributes to cleaning
"It's simple....Join the #washcoldchallenge, pledge that you’ll use cold wash, and help protect your planet 🙌🏻”
What if I really need to wash warm?
Just do it! We should not avoid using or doing what is necessary 😉
Anything else I can do?
Of course yes, but we want to make it simple for you. For now just start with this, you can already do a great impact, to yourself and the planet.
We will provide more insights soon..stay tuned 🙌
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