Want to switch to machine washing at low temperatures? To do so, you must first understand which clothes can be washed in cold water, and use some natural ingredients to make the wash really effective. From bicarbonate to washing soda, here’s how to eliminate bacteria from clothes even with a low-temperature wash.
Set up lower temperatures for washing clothes in washing machine It is an excellent expedient for reduce consumptionlimit CO2 emissions and give a hand to our planet. But it will also be a good method to sanitize clothes? In short, does cold washing disinfect clothes, or are we perhaps at risk of not washing them properly?
First of all, it is always good to remember that dirty clothes can become a real den of germs and bacteriaespecially if we tend to leave them in the laundry basket for days or weeks.
To limit the problem, therefore, it will be necessary to wash clothes sufficiently often, remembering however to start the washing machine when it is actually fully loaded. Returning to the question “temperature”, it must be said that this washing method can offer many benefits, which is why we should not exclude it a priori.
Why wash at 30 degrees?
Reducing the temperature of the washing cycle in the washing machine allows us to:
- Protect clothes from damage caused by excessively high temperatures
- Reduce our impact on the environment (since it reduces CO2 emissions related to energy expenditure)
- Reduce the costs in the bill.
Moreover, although we are accustomed to believe that “the hotter the better”, in reality not all clothes need to be washed at high temperatures. Often 20 or 30 degrees are enough to obtain clean and well-sanitized laundry.
What does “low temperature washing” in the washing machine mean?
Before seeing how to optimize washing in the washing machine, let’s make the necessary distinctions. Saying “cold wash” is not equivalent to saying “low temperature washing“.
In the first case, in fact, the washing temperature is below 30 degrees. Otherwise, we speak of washing at low temperatures, as the washing machine is set between 30 and (maximum) 40 degrees.
Many people prefer wash clothes at 60 degrees and beyond, for fear that lower temperatures will not be able to sanitize the laundry. In reality, the most modern washing machines allow you to wash clothes cold, using special detergents that are activated even at 30 degrees or even lower temperatures.
What to wash at low temperatures or “cold” in the washing machine?
Not all garments can be washed in cold or low temperatures. As the experts at Assocasa in the countryside “Better 30°“, you can opt for this type of program to wash lightly soiled clothessuch as shirts, pants, underwear, socks, t-shirts, curtains and sheets.
In this case, you could opt for a normal wash at 30°, i.e. at low temperatures.
However, if the clothes to be washed belong to sick people who is parrot caregiverthen you will need to opt for washing at 60°. The same goes for the clothes soiled with fecessecretions, urine and the very dirty clothes that come into contact with the skin (ideally, wash at 30-40°).
As regards the sheetinstead, the washing temperature should range from 30-40° up to 60°, depending on the case.
How to disinfect clothes even at low temperatures?
We now know that many garments can be washed at low temperatures or even cold. To optimize washing and effectively eliminate stains, germs and bacteria, however, we could use solutions for this
First of all, if you intend to wash your clothes at low temperatures you should choose detergents that can work at cold temperatures or at 30 degrees (you can find the appropriate indication on the package).
Also, it will be helpful pre-treat the laundry using some natural remedies to eliminate stains, bad odors and bacteria from your laundry.
Bicarbonate against stains and bad odors
Before starting the wash, soak your clothes in a basin with water and bicarbonate, leave for 30 minutes, wring out and wash normally.
If the clothes are heavily stained, make a paste by mixing half a cup of baking soda and a tablespoon of water. Rub the mixture into the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, rinse, and machine wash.
Low temperature washing more effective with washing soda
To make washing at low temperatures in the washing machine more effective, add a small amount of washing soda to your normal detergent. You will have cleaner and more sanitized clothes.
Borax for cleaner laundry
A bit like soda, too borax It can make washing in the washing machine more effective, increasing the sanitizing action of the soap.
Thanks to this remedy, you could remove stains from clothes and get cleaner laundry, without increasing the washing temperature.
Source: www.greenstyle.it
