The washing machine is an essential appliance in our home to keep our clothes clean and fresh. Although we usually use them to wash our clothes, bedding, towels, etc., it is not uncommon for us to wonder, even after several years of use, which washing program is the best among all the programs that the washing machine offers us, efficiency and economic efficiency. In fact, most people almost instinctively choose the 40°C program, which is considered a kind of universal temperature and is ideal for all types of clothing. Actually, it’s a bad idea that can hurt your wallet, but not only that. Let’s explain why.
The washing machine is certainly far behind in the ranking of appliances that consume the most energy in a home, but given the rising cost of energy, it is necessary to pay close attention to the factors that influence energy consumption in a home. . . One of them is washing clothes at 40 degrees Celsius. Why and how? Let’s see it together.
Why not wash laundry more often at 40°C?
Washing clothes at 40 degrees Celsius, as the average French person does, is usually considered a good balance between washing efficiency and reasonable electricity consumption. This is an incorrect calculation. In fact, the energy consumption of your washing machine can practically double if you choose this temperature, while another program available in most models of washing machines allows you to achieve the same result with a lower consumption in kWh and therefore in euros.
Also Read: Use your washing machine at this time of the day: You will save a lot on your electricity bill
Why is it not a good idea to wash clothes at 40°C?
It is not necessary to wash clothes at this temperature to get clean and shiny clothes. It turns out that newer models of washing machines have energy efficiency programs that allow them to work efficiently at low temperatures. In addition, several manufacturers offer cleaning products that are active from 20 degrees Celsius. But there are two other arguments that should convince us to stop washing at 40°C: on the one hand, saving energy and, on the other hand, protecting the planet. You may not know it, but lowering the washing temperature by 10°C can make a significant difference.
Is it different to wash clothes at 40°C than at 30°C?
For your wallet, yes! Remember that most of the energy used in machine washing is used to heat the water. Consequently, reducing the temperature from 40 to 30°C means a reduction in energy consumption. But the most surprising thing is that the result for your clothes, especially everyday clothes, remains the same. In fact, with the exception of some items of clothing, the 30°C program works on almost everything and ensures satisfaction. To better understand the difference in energy consumption depending on the program you choose, you should know that washing clothes at 60 ° C consumes about 1.3 kWh. However, at a washing temperature of 40°C, energy consumption is reduced to approx. 0.7 kWh. And if you wash your clothes at 30°C, your energy consumption is even lower, to just 0.4 kWh. enough to reduce your electricity bill. And that’s not the only advantage. Lowering the temperature is also an ecological gesture.
Why is washing clothes at 30° green?
According to an awareness campaign carried out in March 2021 by the detergent brand Ariel entitled “Every degree counts” and whose aim was to promote the effectiveness of cold washing, every French family would save by systematically opting for the 30° program like this a lot of energy like the consumption of the city of Nantes or even the equivalent of the carbon footprint of two million cars if the operation were carried out at a European level. This means that producing a cryogenic machine is beneficial for the environment as it can reduce CO2 emissions, which helps protect our planet by reducing the negative effects of global warming on our ecosystem.
Bedding, paints, detergents… 3 answers to 3 frequently asked questions about the optimal temperature for washing clothes
Setting up a washing machine may seem like a mundane activity that can be summed up in a few quick gestures, such as opening the washing machine door, stacking everything you want to wash into the drum, adding the detergent, closing it and starting the program. But as we all know, it’s not that simple. This task raises many questions for many people. Let’s look at the most common ones.
Can colors be mixed at 30 degrees Celsius?
Yes, you can, but under certain conditions. By selecting the 30°C program, you can avoid sorting clothes. Of course, be sure to separate clothes from kitchen towels, towels and other items of clothing made of resistant fabric, which are generally dirtier and more stained and therefore need to be washed at high temperatures, especially to eliminate bacteria. In addition, when washing at low temperatures, the fibers of the garments are less damaged, the colors do not fade or become dull. Therefore they are better preserved. However, you can never be too careful. For example, it is clearly not a good idea to wash a white garment between colored garments, especially if they are new and you are washing them for the first time.
Which clothes should be washed at 40 degrees Celsius?
As mentioned above, you can wash your everyday clothes made of cotton, wool, linen, etc. at 30°C instead of 40°C, achieving the same cleaning result. However, the 40°C program is sometimes recommended for textiles that come into direct contact with the body, such as underwear and bath towels.
At what temperature should bed linen be washed?
When washing sheets, the right temperature depends on a few important factors, namely:
The material of the sheets: Cotton sheets can be washed at higher temperatures, up to 60°C, while more delicate materials such as silk need to be washed. at lower temperatures.
Washing frequency: A washing temperature of 40°C is recommended for weekly washing frequency. This means that the quality of the bed linen is preserved when washed. However, if you choose to machine wash every two weeks, due to the level of soiling of the sheets and the presence of microbes, it may be necessary to wash the laundry at a temperature between 60°C and 90°C, especially for white sheets.
Also Read: Remove All Limescale From Your Washing Machine By Adding A Common Ingredient
At what temperature does a garment shrink?
In most cases, garments tend to shrink at temperatures above 60°C, but this can vary depending on the fabric and type of fibers used. To ensure that your garments are preserved, follow the washing and care instructions on the garment label. They can recommend specific washing temperatures and drying methods to prevent shrinkage.
The benefits of lowering the temperature of your washing machine may seem minimal to you, but compared to the number of washes you do per year, the energy and money savings are immediately noticeable, in addition to the satisfaction you get from the good deed . for the planet.