Depending on your clothes, you should reconsider the temperature you set your washing machine to.
As detergents become more effective at lower temperatures, it creates a false sense of security around laundry.
It’s not just about making clothes look clean, it’s about fighting the invisible enemy – bacteria.
Experts warn against cold water washing, especially when it comes to underwear.
It’s a hot topic in the laundry room, with recommendations that heat – specifically washing at 60-70 degrees Celsius – is needed to fight bacteria.
This advice comes on the back of studies showing that washing at low temperatures only marginally reduces the number of microbes, sometimes almost like unwashed clothes.
Sunlight and irons can help
But what about those delicate fabrics that the washing instructions say cannot withstand heat? Fear not, sunlight and thorough ironing can be your new best friends.
Experts point out that clothes that cannot withstand high temperatures require special attention after washing. Good drying, preferably in sunlight, and careful ironing can help kill the bacteria that the wash didn’t remove.
This changes the way we think about washing routines. It’s no longer enough to just load the machine, choose a program and hope for the best.
So next time you’re faced with a pile of clothes, remember that it’s not just about cleanliness, but also about health. With this new knowledge, laundry day can be your next big victory in the battle against the microscopic enemies of clothing fibers.
