Poll: Laundry - scientific data required

[Dirk Diggler]

Considering the cost of living pressures and the need to save energy, there's a big ruck developing in the Diggler household. Rollergirl reckons the towels have to be washed at 60C to make sure bacteria is sufficiently dealt with, whereas I was under the impression that the detergent did all the work and 30C is fine unless there are stains to be removed (ugh).

What temperature should towels be washed at, oh Wise Forum?

Poll required, Mods please.

30°
40°
50°
60°

 

[Fuzz]

and does the god damn washing machine cycle need to run for 3.5 hrs on some programs, it's bloody ridiculous.

 

[~Mike~]

90c

 

[Freakbro]

It is recommended to wash towels and bed linen at 60° to kill bacteria, but another method if you want to use a cooler wash is use white vinegar.

You can put it in the fabric softener compartment ,or directly in the drum (don't use fabric softener in either case) and that will help sanitize the towels on a cooler wash.

 

[Ahleckz]

and does the god damn washing machine cycle need to run for 3.5 hrs on some programs, it's bloody ridiculous.

I do wonder what the 3 hour eco setting is doing that the 44 minute one isn’t. Surely the 44 minute is more eco?

 

[Freakbro]

I do wonder what the 3 hour eco setting is doing that the 44 minute one isn’t. Surely the 44 minute is more eco?

I think it was @bigmike20vt who tested the eco setting on the dishwasher (low temp for a few hrs) to the fast wash (high temp 1 hr) and confirmed the eco setting used less energy, even though it was a long cycle

 

[Terminal_Boy]

I do wonder what the 3 hour eco setting is doing that the 44 minute one isn’t. Surely the 44 minute is more eco?

Having read the technical data on my washing machine, it would appear that the “eco” bit mainly applies to the amount of water used.

 

[gingergundog]

Always washed at 40 never 60 unless its something the dog/cat has pooped/thrown up on and even that's not every time. I know some detergents say you can wash at 30 but I don't trust it to be good enough.

We tend to select fast wash which is about 1hr versus the normal which is 3+hrs.

 

[MichaelAwkward]

It depends largely on the detergent used.

Liquid/gel works best at lower temperatures, powder at higher temperatures.

 

[Uther]

I do them at 40 when the wife's not watching.

 

[potatolord]

I wash everything at 30, all the time.

Every month or so, I run the washer on a high temperature with a towel in it to clean the drum.

Germs are weak, I am strong.

 

[AtaRo]

Nuke it with fire, the only way to do it.
Seriously we only wash at 30c and use antibac at the finishing cycle.

 

[StriderX]

Imagine not having an X-ray irradiator to sterilise your clothes, amateurs.

 

[aardvark]

ive been using the 20 degree eco setting - not noticed a difference

 

[bigmike20vt]

I think it was @bigmike20vt who tested the eco setting on the dishwasher (low temp for a few hrs) to the fast wash (high temp 1 hr) and confirmed the eco setting used less energy, even though it was a long cycle

yep certainly on mine eco takes a while (3.5hrs) but it used far less energy

 

[Derek W]

 

[UTmaniac]

Everything done at 20C, not in poll, wasn't even aware some laundry should be washed at higher temps.

Makes heck of a heating costs difference during colder months, because our machine is cold water feed only.

 

[XeNoN89]

I wash everything at 40

 

[SexyGreyFox]

I can't help because I've got the same magic basket as this bloke

 

[darael]

Towels and bedding should be washed at 60c with a non-bio detergent. But with the cost of living these days, I find myself washing such items at 30c unless the machine is due it's cleaning/maintenance cycle.

Instead of the cottons cycle you use the cottons eco cycle, what happens is that the machine reduces the temperature (ie: 60c wash will wash at 40c) and will wash for longer to achieve 60c wash results.