Cold Water Wash

[real1]

Good point about the temp of cold water coming out of the tap. Tap water temps would be substantially high in moderate climates, then northern climates. In a lot of small towns, your water comes from well(s), so it's fairly stable yr around but going through the water system to get to your house changes significantly in the summer versus winter.

Some people can get away with very hot temps from a gas WH, because of the cost factor of natural gas. Propane has a higher BTU content, but it's much more expensive than natural gas.

As often the case, modern detergents are a chemical cocktail tailored to be used with warm water for maximum efficiency. Eugene makes a good argument about breaking down the detergent enzymes in hot water.

Kevin

 

[mrboilwash]

Although I can relate to the outcry about that Cold Water Wash Whirlpool, let`s face it most other current washers sold in the US either have severely dumbed down temperatures or use so little water that hot water quickly becomes what used to be "controlled cold" once it enters the machine no matter what temperature is selected.

This washer is at least honest about what you get and doubtlessly there is a market driven demand for it wheather we like it or not. Guess I won`t have to stress it I`m among those who don`t.
Looks like anyone who wants a "true" temperature selection either has to go for a vintage or for a FL with a heater. Even the current SQ TLs cheat on the warm setting, don`t they ?

I frequently read about enzymes being denatured or killed off by too hot water which is true on one hand but should not be generalized too much.
Each type of enzyme has its own optimal temperature curve where it performs best. Amylase for example performs best in very hot (over 150°F) water whereas proteinase activity peaks out at around 120°F and has only left about 20% activity in 150°F. So it doesn`t mean all enzyme activity is suddenly lost in colder or hotter water it`s just getting impaired accordingly.

 

[norgeway]

My Grandmother

Would have had a fit, I remember She had our water heater turned up so the washer had steam billowing up out of it , Until I was a kid,She boiled wash clothes and dish towels in a pot BEFORE She washed them!

 

[yogitunes]

I find the ones who wash in COLD water to prevent shrinkage or color loss comical...

and yet they machine dry.....

in a 180 degree dryer...way hotter than most water supplies....

and for items like jeans, the dye transfers to the drum.....

it all seems redundant unless you line dry....

 

[johnrk]

Houston water

Here in the Houston area, what is stated above is absolutely true. For at least 9 months out of the year my tap water could be considered tepid-to-warm in my home. And, as I have an acre yard, mine is cooler than those whose pipes have less distance to run. Often in the warmer months I only use a tiny amount of hot water for showering. I turn my water heater down in warmer months and just turned it up last week.

I don't know that I've ever washed clothes in cold water in the last 30 years. The only time I use that setting at all is if I forget some clean clothes in the washer; they get really wrinkled, and I'll just run an extra, cold rinse and spin before they dry.

As someone else stated, it's so funny to see be people freaking out about needing to wash with cold water, then they'll toss the stuff in a dryer!

 

[ozzie908]

Reply 42

Martin you are so 100% spot on !! I have seen dryers that are blue inside and it never occurred to me it was due to low temp washing that all makes perfect sense.

Austin