Hate it or love it, laundry is part of life. Some of us really enjoy putting new sheets on the bed on Sunday night and folding his shirts, while others consider laundry a tedious chore. Either way, you have a few different options when it comes to filling your washing machine with water, including water temperature. Hot water is useful when you need to wipe away certain stains and germs, but experts say you’re making a serious mistake when you wash everything with hot water. Read on for compelling reasons.
Read this: One thing you shouldn’t put in the washing machine is what the experts warn you about.
You may not realize it, but water temperature is important when doing laundry.
“The cold wash cycle is gentler on fabrics than hot water, and won’t fade delicate fabrics or colors as quickly over time.” Beatrice FloresLiving Pristine cleaning expert and head blogger, best life“As a result, those who choose cold water laundering may find that their clothes last longer than if they were washed in hot or warm water.”
Also, warm water does not fit clothing. Stephen BuklRhythm of the Home founder and owner explains: “Hot water tends to expand the fibers of the garment, and when it dries it will shrink into a new position,” he says.
This can occur with both natural and synthetic fabrics, according to. Patrick Kenger, personal stylist and founder of Pivot Image Consulting. “Think about how to protect your hair from heat in the same way. If you want your clothes to last longer, you need to be gentler: cold water,” he says.
Doing one wash (or several) is one thing, but it adds another step if you have to iron your clothes later. Experts say you can keep your ironing board in your closet.
“Washing clothes in cold water is a good option as it reduces wrinkles.” Jimmy Orasexplains the cleaning expert and CEO of Silver Olas, a California-based professional cleaning service. It also helps.”
According to a University of Kentucky study by the Grove Collaborative, clothes washed in cold water were actually the smoothest in terms of wrinkles and also had the least amount of pilling.
Sign up for our daily newsletter for more life advice delivered straight to your inbox.
Rinsing with cold water will make your clothes look and feel better, but Mother Nature will give you a pat on the back. Choosing cold water can actually make an impact as it uses less energy.
according to Adam SmithCEO of Eco Energy Geek, about 90% of the energy used in laundry is used when heating water.
“From an environmental point of view, washing in cold water not only reduces energy consumption, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” he says. best life“This is because the energy used to heat water is produced by burning fossil fuels, which means that cold-water laundry presents a great opportunity for individuals to reduce their environmental footprint.” To do.”
Bucur says skipping the dryer is good for the environment and helps reduce energy consumption even further. You might even love spending a few extra minutes outside if you let your clothes air dry instead.
Helping the environment is certainly a plus, and many of us are actively trying to reduce our environmental impact. Using less energy means cheaper electricity bills. Given today’s skyrocketing prices, there’s no reason not to try cold water.
“We highly recommend washing in cold water,” says Smith. “It’s an easy and straightforward way to save energy and money while reducing your environmental impact.”
If your washer and dryer are nearing the end of their life, choosing a more energy-efficient alternative can also save you money in the long run.