Definition of Cold Water Washing

[Chetlaham]

What is the correct definition of cold water washing? P&G seems to state cold water as being a minimum of 90*F while Whirlpool defines cold water as being between 55-65*F. When detergent manufacturers talk about being able to wash in cold water, what temperature do they have in mind? Why is there such a discrepancy in listed temps?


https://pgpro.com/en-us/brands/tide-professional/tide-coldwater-system


https://producthelp.whirlpool.com/L...ting_Cold_Water_when_Warm_or_Hot_was_Selected

 

[henene4]

In the EU, generally, anything that doesn't require heating in most cases would be considered cold.

30C/86F would be low temp, but generally needs heating as it is above room temp. So wouldn't call that cold.

20C/68F could be considered cold IMO as under common circumstances that would be reachable without heating.



"Cold" isn't definable, so neither is cold water washing.
Some people feel 68F as cold in a room, I have my flat at 60-64F in winter and think that's fine.

So one could say anything that is using any warm water isn't cold anymore.
Or that anything under warm is cold, which could be as high as the 90F you mentioned.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

That “definition” applies for Tide Professional, and is used loosely compared to standard “high” temp washes. Cold washes otherwise are 30°C/85°F for residential.

 

[me]

I think major detergent manufacturers typically mean 30°C when they are talking about a cold wash for products sold here.

https://www.persil.com/uk/laundry/laundry-tips/washing-tips/temperature-use-wash-clothes-towels.html

My current machine has two hand wash cycles, one of which is cold, which I believe means cold as it comes from the cold tap, no heat. None of my previous machines even had a cold wash, unless you count rinse and spin. One did have a lower temperature button ( - 10°C), so could have gone as low as a 20° wash.

I find the concept of having arbitrary cold/warm/hot cycles like you have in the US very odd indeed. Normal wash cycles on UK machines state the actual wash temperature, which correspond with wash temperatures stated on the clothing care labels.

 

[DADoES]

Cold wash reasonably refers to tap-cold input, vs. cool which is mixed with some warm. That's the method on "classic" machines with a 3-solenoid inlet valve and five temp choices (cold, cool, warm, medium, hot).

My F&Ps have six temp choices: (tap) cold, cold+, warm-, warm, warm+, hot.

 

[logixx]

In their German TV commercials "Ariel PodsCast", P&G suggest to turn the temperature down to 30C/85F to remove even heavy stains.

Back in 2009, Ariel Excel Gel was launched, claiming to effectively clean at 15C/59F. It's long gone from shelves here but still around in other countries, I think.

I guess 85F is what most manufacturers consider the lowest temp for effective cleaning over here.