Wash at 30 degrees instead of 40?
Sara Idenfors
Should you wash at 30*C or 40*C?
Wash at 30°C when clothes are only lightly soiled, but choose 40°C for greasy stains and heavier soiling.
At 30°C, you save energy and your clothes suffer less wear, but the temperature is often too low to dissolve greasy dirt such as chocolate or body fat. Remember that your body temperature is around 37°C; water colder than that has difficulty dissolving grease without extra help. Therefore, 40°C is sometimes necessary to get clothes really clean.
When is 30°C enough?
- For light soiling, such as sweat or dust
- For delicate garments that cannot withstand higher temperatures
- When you use an effective detergent that works at low temperatures
When is 40°C better?
- For stains from grease, chocolate, body oils, or food
- For bed linen, towels, and sportswear
- If the garment still smells or doesn't feel clean after washing at 30°C
Consider the environment – but also the result
Washing at 30°C saves energy and is more environmentally friendly, but if the clothes don't get clean, you may lose out in the long run, both financially and environmentally. The best thing you can do is follow the care label on the garment and use a detergent that works effectively at the temperature you choose.
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1. Do you save energy by washing at a lower temperature?
Yes, that's what you do. Heating water requires a lot of energy.
2. If I can't get the clothes clean at 30*C as the care label says, should I throw them away?
No, then try pre-treating the stains and washing in warmer water. Throwing them away and buying new ones should always be your last resort.
3. Can I wash chocolate out with cold water?
It will be difficult. Chocolate and other greasy dirt are easier to remove at higher temperatures.
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