Is the “Cold Wash” mode in a washing machine a useful option or a marketing ploy?

It has long been believed that the hotter the water, the better the wash. However, today experts say that it is not at all necessary to heat the water; you can get by with cold water. This is due to the special functions of modern washing units and the composition of new gels and powders. Using the “Cold Wash” mode in a washing machine, you will not only be able to wash your laundry perfectly, but also reduce energy costs, shorten the operating time of the machine, and minimize the risk of damage to the product.

Which water should you choose for washing – cold or hot?

Most housewives do not even think about the question of which water is better to wash in - cool or hot. After all, only hot water can cope with complex contaminants, and the powder will dissolve in it much better and faster than in cold water. However, few realize that cold washing also has its advantages, and for some fabrics such cleaning is the only way to remove contaminants.

In hot water, you should wash first those items that require disinfection. This could be bed linen, kitchen and bath towels, children's clothing or heavily soiled items. In other cases, it is not necessary to heat the water, since modern powders do an excellent job of cleaning in cold water.

Washing without heating water has the following advantages:

• Does not damage the product. Prolonged exposure to hot water is detrimental to fabric.Products made of silk, wool and other delicate materials are especially affected. The structure of the fibers is disrupted, as a result of which the item decreases in size or, conversely, stretches, and barely noticeable holes appear on the surface of the material, which after several washes turn into huge holes. All these troubles can be avoided if you use the “Cold Wash” mode.
• The color of the product is preserved. Cool water does not wash out the paint, so things do not fade and retain their original color for a long time.
• Energy saving. As you know, the main energy consumption of a washing machine occurs when heating water. When using cold water, a minimal amount of energy is wasted, therefore the electricity bill will be much lower.

In addition, by washing with cool water, the housewife saves her time, and there is no need to worry about the cleanliness of clothes, since modern powders and gels do an excellent job at any temperature.

How many degrees is the water temperature for a cold wash?

Most manufacturers of modern washing units include a “Cold Wash” mode in the machine’s functionality, with which you can guarantee special care for thin and delicate fabrics. The program works as follows: after loading the laundry into the drum and activating the button with the appropriate name, the intake from the water supply system begins, but the heating element does not turn on and the water does not heat up.

Do not confuse the “Quick Wash” and “Cold Wash” modes.The difference between them is that in the first case, the water still heats up, albeit a little, only up to +30 degrees, but the heating element must turn on, and a certain amount of electricity is spent on this.

The water temperature during “Cold Wash” is the same as in the water supply:

• In the summer, it can reach +25°C and even +30°C.
• In winter it drops to +15°C.
• Residents of the private sector use wells or wells in which the water can be almost icy, down to +2°C.

Due to the fact that detergents are almost insoluble in liquids with temperatures below +10°C, it will not be possible to carry out high-quality cleaning in such conditions without heating.

Cold wash gel and powder

Detergents for cleaning clothes in cold water have special requirements:

• They must combine both traditional detergent enzymes and specific surfactants that can remove dirt under the most unfavorable conditions.
• Powders must be completely dissolved in cool water, otherwise a hard coating will be deposited on the drain pipes, preventing the normal discharge of waste liquid.

We list the detergents that are suitable for “Cold Wash”.

Spark

The product contains natural optical brighteners and enhanced enzymes that penetrate deep into the fibers and remove old stains and other contaminants. Suitable for cleaning white and colored laundry, excluding wool and silk.

CJ Lion Econo Max

The fabric cleaner has a rich aroma and a disinfecting effect. Gives clothes softness, maintains the brightness of colors, and does not require repeated rinsing.Specially developed Clean Protect technology protects laundry from repeated contamination.

It is advisable to wash in hot water only when it is necessary to disinfect the laundry or remove old dirt. In other cases, it is better to use the “Cold Wash” mode, thanks to which you will be able to wash your clothes efficiently and save your family budget.