40-degree wash: energy-saving and still hygienic?
Finding the right washing temperature is a pain in the neck for many people. While you are probably aware that low temperatures of 30 or 40 degrees have a positive effect on your electricity bill, the question remains as to whether your laundry can really come out clean and germ-free at these temperatures. We explain why low washing temperatures are generally more than capable of getting the job done and whether a 40-degree wash is also suitable for underwear and socks.
19 July 2024 • 3 min reading time
Wash your clothes at 40 degrees to protect colours and fibres.
Not sure what temperature to wash your clothes at? The care label will tell you the washing temperature you should not exceed when washing and drying your laundry. However, choosing an even lower temperature is better. Find out why below.
Although cotton garments and synthetic materials can often withstand a 60-degree wash, such a high washing temperature attacks the fibres of your clothes, which leaves them feeling hard and makes the colours fade faster.
For light soiling, you can safely wash your laundry on a 40-degree cycle; most stains will disappear with the right eco-friendly washing powder even in a 30-degree wash. You should only choose 60 degrees if your clothes have stubborn stains or are heavily soiled.
In addition to being gentle, machine washing at 30 or 40 degrees has another clear advantage: it saves you electricity – and a lot of it. The money you save by not using high washing temperatures, long washing cycles or a tumble dryer can instead be invested in high-quality, environmentally friendly detergents.
Eco-friendly washing powders are free from surfactants that have adverse effects on the environment and clean your laundry just as well as conventional detergents. They also protect the fibres of your clothes, meaning you can make doing your laundry as sustainable as possible.
Most people wash their underwear at 60 degrees to make sure all germs are killed. As long as you’re not sick and have only worn your underwear for one day as recommended, a 40-degree wash will often do – briefs made of fine lace or delicate materials such as silk are, in fact, highly susceptible to damage when washed at higher temperatures.
However, if you’ve been ill, had heavy discharge or your period, a 60-degree wash is recommended to make sure all bacteria are killed. High washing temperatures are also useful for keeping your washing machine hygienic; one hot wash a month helps to clean the machine and removes the film that often builds up on the drum due to detergent residue.
Would you like to save electricity and be gentle on your laundry, but still have your doubts as to whether 40 degrees is sufficient? With these three tips, you can wash your laundry at lower temperatures and be sure that it really comes out clean:
Laundry sanitiser ensures that germs and bacteria are killed, even at low temperatures
White vinegar and baking soda have a disinfectant effect and eliminate unpleasant odours in your laundry
Make sure your laundry is completely dry before putting it away It’s best to dry your laundry in the sun to take advantage of the natural disinfectant effect of UV rays
Using a high-quality detergent in combination with these methods will ensure that even your underwear comes out clean and germ-free when washed at 40 degrees.
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