Cold Water: The Future Of Laundering

[frigilux]

On the upside, that pesky water temp selector won't be there to confuse us, LOL.

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[lordkenmore]

Pass me the cyanide, please

I'm afraid you are probably right.

 

[appnut]

Gag!! 

 

[appnut]

Even if only one model in a product line has a heater, that's the one I will buy!!!

 

[appnut]

the consumer is still the ultimate decider of their laundry

You got that right damn Mr. Chan!!!  They're all being brainwashed by the EPA!!!  If warm is the new hot, I'll be washing everything in "hot". 

 

[mamapinky]

I know a LOT of people that use cold water to wash everything and their clothing shows it...I've been in the homes of some of them and I swear I can smell dirty bedding. As long as people are told cold water cleans they will use it..they either don't see it isn't working or they don't care.

 

[gusherb]

I shudder to think about how nasty it would be to wash in our during wintertime 43 degree city water. Blech.

 

[a440]

Blah!

I know someone also that only washes in cold water.  They have a Kitchenaid top load washer and the entire top of the wash basket is a 6" rim of grease and grime!  So disgusting!  He is always going to the Dermatologist for skin issues and adult acne.  (he is in his 50's)  I have explained to him time and time again the reason for his skin issues and he just looks at me like I have three eyes!  He said he told his Dermatologist about what I said and the Doctor told him that there is no way this is the cause of his skin issues.  I actually yelled at him and said I am sure he told you that!  You are a great Patient that is paying off his Mercedes!!!!

 

B

 

[norgeway]

Ive said it before

Ill say it again, the D$%^ government has no business in my washing machine or dishwasher, if I can afford to buy the water and to heat the water, they should stay out of it, If the EPA was abolished maybe this country could actually make something again!

 

[stan]

Brent

I'm sure your right about your friend.
You could ask your friend why he's willing to spend the time and maybe $ with the doctor, paying for the creams, lotions and potions instead of spending a little more $ for some hot water! What he got to loose by following your suggestion? With all that cold water.. Probably none of his detergent is rinsing out properly either.. There's a skin condition ready to happen
What's wrong with people?

 

[mark_wpduet]

I've seen the YUK at the top of TL washers before

and they use cold water. It's gross. I can't understand how anyone could think it's cleaning when you go to the kitchen sink, and clean up greasy dishes or a greasy sink with food that has been in there, cold water doesn't work worth a CRAP!!! And anyone who uses a kitchen for prepping food, or cleaning the kitchen from dirty dishes KNOWS IT! Every last one of them run the tap until the water gets warm or almost hot, then squirt some dish liquid and clean the sink, etc. So if you put 2 and 2 together, it's the same with laundry..I mean, body oils, sweat....euuwww

 

[gpevas]

Hot water

I totally agree our government sticks it nose where it does not belong!!! You have to use HOT water to get cloths really clean especially with body oils grease ect. Detergents DO NOT rinse out well in cold water. I live in Ohio close to Lake Erie and in winter the water is Cold and that's what my automatic washer uses to rinse my cloths out with. Thank God for my wringer I can choose what temp to wash and rinse with. The fellow with skin problems I am sure it is from his washing in cold water!!!! One last thing I bought a Kenmore Elite front load washer last year and when I use the HOT water wash setting it is not hot it is warm!!!!!! I stop the washer to open the door to check how hot the towels are and they always are warm. I set my water tank at a very hot setting 165 degrees yes 165 I know people will say that's wasteful but I pay for the bill and I want a hot water wash and CANT get it. Why the Government regulations!!!!!! It does have a heater but only get hot on the sanitary cycle.

 

[appnut]

It does have a heater but only get hot on the sanitary cycle

Gary, does your model have an Allergen Cycle too?  What model do you have? 

 

[arbilab]

I thought the future of laundering was no water at all. Like, "if you want water, sweat".

 

[polkanut]

Nothing beats washing your bedding, clothing etc in "HOT" and /or "WARM" water, and letting them line dry to know they're truly clean.  Too bad so many are "drinking the Kool-Aid" and believing all of this environmental laundry garbage.

 

[frigilux]

Here's my issue with cold water washing: Define cold.

Cold water from the tap can be 80+ degrees in warm climates. Most new high-quality detergents and washers can do a good job with that on many loads. Consumer Reports now tests detergents in 75-80 degree water (which they call 'cool') because that's what most new washers deliver when the temp selector is set on warm.

Unfortunately, the water here (southern Minnesota) rarely hits 70 degrees even in the summer and drops to 40 degrees in the winter. I don't believe for a moment even made-for-cold detergents are effective using 40-55 degree water, especially on greasy stains.

I'm with Bob on this one: Thank God for front-loaders with internal water heaters!

 

[washer111]

NOOOOO

Notice: Any member here caught with the cold water will need to see their Laundering Director, and perhaps visit a confessional. From my understanding, the penances to absolve one of this offence is severe...

Personally, I cannot believe that cold washing is better. Our local testing institution suggests there is only an 8% difference in the results. I can point out some flaws with that:
- Are they testing their laundering over time, or just one wash? Over time dirt can buildup if it isn't properly removed the first time (i.e. pit stains that get worse and worse). Thats why shirts can grey/yellow, over time.
It might work the first few times, but quickly stops doing so, as I found out with "tepid" water for my dark clothes. They started to not smell clean, and there was a noticeable difference just switching up to warm temperatures!
- Testing institutions don't test odour, as its a subjective thing.
- The institutions test premade samples. In reality, stains are probably very different from this "sanitised examples," and not at all easy to remove in tepid water.

My other gripe is this:
Australians mostly heat their water from FREE solar sources. At least 60%, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. And yet, less than 20% wash in warm/hot water. Given our FREE energy, I think we've been swindled.
You see too many people around in grubby shirts, that are yellowed and stained *badly* from all this. And people think we are saving energy with this?*

Washing in cold prevents the enzymes from working. I don't care whether its formulated for that or not, most enzymes seemingly work best around the "warm" temperature, and bleaching (oxygen-based) takes place anywhere from warm - hot. The colder you wash, the longer you must wash to receive the same results.

Then, as others have said, the cold washing prevents greases from being dissolved into the water. In cold, they can gradually build up and "congeal," making the snot and grime that causes mold and odours in your washer.
It may not be as bad with use of LCB, but exasperated with use of fabric softeners.

*I have been lectured once or twice by people who think that I am destroying the planet with warm and hot washes. They claim their clothes are just as clean...
Well - we previously were "cold-only" with the Simpson TL. Immediately after switching to the Miele, clothes smelt better and were noticeably softer! I'd attribute that to the fabrics loosening up and releasing detergent residues, and odours with it.

 

[turquoisedude]

UGH!  I thought I was the only one who noticed that in households where only cold water is used for laundering, the clothing and bedding just don't seem clean.  My ex-tenants had 9 (yes 9) children and everything was washed in cold water - the brood of brats always seemed to have colds, allergies, coughs, and snotty noses.  My late grandmother drilled into me that if anyone had been ill in the household, the bed sheets they used were to be laundered in hot water (she still boiled wash up until the mid-70s!) and if possible, hung out in the sunshine. 

 

And oddly enough, I'm pretty sure that I've read some of the older automatic user manuals to run the washer with a full tub of hot water and detergent once in a while... 

 

Now, here's a question - would rinsing in cold water cause any problems, especially after a hot wash??

 

[joeypete]

I'm not really sure how I feel about this. I do agree that washing EVERYTHING in cold water is not good. I only wash my dark colors in tap cold water, which here in NH is pretty darn cold in the winter. When I lived in Arizona, I actually hardly ever turned on the hot water in the summer (which there is like half the year) because the cold water alone was pretty darn close to "Hot". I could shower easily with it…it was warm coming out. If anything i think you'll see more machines that have internal heaters to overcome the problem.

As far as the government sticking their nose in our business. That's really what they are there for, unfortunately. If a lot of things are left unregulated, then it will be a free for all. And just seeing some comments here, I don't think the majority of people would really care what they are dumping down their drains. lol. I do have concern for our environment and really the government should be in charge of that. Some one has to take responsibility. Look at China….YIKES.

Although I should clarify, I don't see a big need for them to regulate the temperature of water used in cleaning. That does seem a bit silly. I mean if someone wants to pay more for their light bill, why should the government stop that. LOL.

Obviously this would only be a problem if you were buying a brand new machine, which I'd sad the majority of people here don't do anyhow. There is a plethora of older used machines in this world. I don't think any of us here will have an issue for many MANY years to come.