colly0410 Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 When I lived in Germany most if not all people washed their clothes in cold water, I've been doing the same with no problems so far. However recent media reports say you shouldn't wash at low temps because it doesn't kill germs, I'm confused. What do other people do & think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barleycorn Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 A low temperature wash isn't going to kill (some) germs. To be sure you need to be washing at +65ºC. Most people will not need to be that thorough. jb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah-Lacie Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 I wash most things at 40 degrees, I use 60 degrees for things like baby clothes when they get food stained as the orange colours stain really badly and a cooler wash doesn't even nearly remove them. Must say it never crossed my mind about killing germs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halibut Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Seriously though, does anybody actually worry about germs on clothing? Is it a real issue or something sold to us by washing powder companies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddycoffee Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Seriously though, does anybody actually worry about germs on clothing? Is it a real issue or something sold to us by washing powder companies? Rather than "germs" have you considered all the skin cells and bacteria that we all shed all the time. If you don't give your bedding a good hot wash you might find it getting a little itchy. If I wash white work shirts at 30 degrees C, then when they are dry I can see greasy stains under the arms and sometimes around the collar. some things really need a bit of heat to get all the grease and skin cells out again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alternageek Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 The only wash I do at high temps (90c) is whites, sheets, towels and undergarments. Things where germs really fester. Cotton tshirts are generally are washed cold.. Heavy denims washed at 60C or more. ---------- Post added 01-11-2013 at 17:00 ---------- Rather than "germs" have you considered all the skin cells and bacteria that we all shed all the time. If you don't give your bedding a good hot wash you might find it getting a little itchy. If I wash white work shirts at 30 degrees C, then when they are dry I can see greasy stains under the arms and sometimes around the collar. some things really need a bit of heat to get all the grease and skin cells out again. Water temp wont do that, but pre-treating the stained areas + plus washing in the correct temps will help get most stains out and not ruin your clothes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah-Lacie Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 I wash all my bedding and towels at 60 too, only reason i don't use 90 is because it takes 2 and a half hours in my bloody washer, and 60 only takes 1h 14m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagel Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 One reason bed bugs are making a return is that people don't wash their sheets and bedding at a high enough temperature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medusa Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 I wash most things at lower temperatures, but they have pet safe disinfectant in the wash with them and are then tumble dried so they reach a temperature high enough to kill any small critters that may be present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenRivers Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 When I lived in Germany most if not all people washed their clothes in cold water, I've been doing the same with no problems so far. However recent media reports say you shouldn't wash at low temps because it doesn't kill germs, I'm confused. What do other people do & think? It's all about selling product. "Look at how good our products are at washing at low temperatures!" they say. Fast forward a few months... "Washing at low temperatures doesn't kill germs, you need our extra germ killer!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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