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°

 

[Dirk Diggler]

towels 60 everything else 30. we all have very sensitive skin (delicate souls that we are) so can only use none bio and nowt much else.

since doing 1 X weekly 60 degree towel wash it has kept the washer much cleaner. we no longer battle black mould on the rubber near the door.

Our daughter is starting to show signs of allergy, which is why we're discussing what temperature the towels should be washed at.

General question to all: if you're washing at a lower temperature than 60 and relying on a product to kill the germs, then what product is it?

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.

Wouldn't the vinegar stink?

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Just a thought, if towels are getting tumble dried then that might render the washing temperature irrelevant?

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Her underwear 60.

FTFY

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I do my towels and linen at 90, everything else I just let the washing machine decide lol

Is that a typo? 90 seems a lot, it's practically a boil wash.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

back in the day I did my towels at 90. I don't any more mind you. it is fairly common however. (it did keep the washing machine spic and span however unlike when I cut everything to a mix of 30 and 40 degrees. my compromise now is towels 60 everything else at 30

I'm currently doing some testing with a power meter, so will run a 90 wash out of curiosity.