Dumb cold water laundry question

[lordkenmore]

We all know the Horrors of Cold Water when doing laundry... But I've been wondering something. One argument for using warm water is removing body oils more effectively. I'm idly wondering if said body oils wouldn't, if not properly removed in the wash, get set permanently if the clothing is run through a dryer?

 

[rp2813]

Based on recent board activity, you have absolutely not cornered the market on dumb questions or posts . . .

 

Some people suggest that as far as stains go, which may not include body oils, running the items through the dryer won't necessarily cause them to set.  I can attest to this claim as a result of replacing my our '97 Amana TL with a Whirlpool Duet HT in 2006.  Stains the Amana couldn't remove disappeared after only one run through the Duet, even though the subject items had been machine dried many times prior to the Duet coming to the rescue.

 

[yogitunes]

I will second that one, look around, Dumb Question is an understatement that doesn't apply to this thread........

unfortunately it falls on deaf ears, like a neutered dog, they don't get it.....

in any case....something like body oils wouldn't actually set from the temp of the dryer, if not removed in the wash, those oils are more likely to attract dirt from the next wash, giving you the dingy whites....

some stains will set, like chocolate, blood, and dye transfers if not completely removed in the wash

cold washes can be somewhat effective, as I have experimented, but it can take time, as in pretreating stains, and dissolving a detergent and booster in hot water first, then adding...and a series of agitation and soak periods, for several hours...best results came from using a wringer....

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Body Oils

For what it is worth, I recently found an old hockey jersey that a friend of ours wore. His mother washed his jerseys in cold water to keep the colors from fading (very common practice). He lended it to my brother for one practice, and my brother ended up bringing it home on accident. The white jersey was yellow and rancid, especially around the collar. After one wash with other hockey jerseys in hot water in my Duet, it was white again. Now, I don't know if it was dried before, but the thing looks like new! There have been many items we have washed in my Duet that have come out clean even if they were washed in another machine and dried. And for some reason, they tend to be oily stains too.

 

[mralex]

When washing in cold water it’s very important to use a detergent with enzymes

 

[rolls_rapide]

"The white jersey was yellow and rancid..."

Bleugh! Just the thought is enough to turn your stomach.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The place where this can become dangerous is with cooking oils and fats. If allowed to build up, through inadequate, improper and poor laundering practices, especially with cold water and cheap detergents, they can become combustible in the dryer.

 

"Hey, I know this is a gas dryer, but I have never seen flames in the drum before."