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Using your washing machine

Washing Machine Temperatures

  • What’s the right temperature for your laundry?
  • Can you really clean at 30˚?
  • Does it actually save money washing at low temperatures?
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General rule of thumb is to wash on higher temperatures because it has more chance to rid the harmful bacteria from the clothes and the machine itself (see general maintenance of your washing machine). Recent research has shown that potential harmful bacteria are not killed at low temperatures. In fact they actually breed in the machine. We recommend the hottest cycle, 90˚) is run regularly to clear the machine of this bacteria, as well as cleaning the machine of the build up of grime that can lead to smells in the washing machine itself (see general maintenance of your washing machine).

So what do we do then? Especially as all the publicity points us towards saving money by washing at these lower temperatures and washing machines themselves are displaying lower and lower temperatures, with the most recent as low as 20˚!

A couple of simple pointers; use a good detergent (look at anti bacterial detergents and biological powders) keep the machine clean (run a 90˚ hot wash and use citric acid) and choose what types of laundry to wash together(E.g. a lightly soiled shirt with a little bit of light sweat doesn’t need to go in with heavy soiled jeans, and wash underwear separately from t-towels, etc). You can always speak to on of our engineers on choice of detergents or cleaners in our Benfleet Service Department on 01268 756 276.

According to The Energy Saving Trust average washing machines run 274 cycles per year (which uses up to around £63 of energy). Reducing your washes to cool washes save around £13 per year. So as far as saving money goes, it is your call. Every little helps and it’s a great way to save money and do your bit for the environment, but it’s also worth looking at ways of keeping your machine and wash clean and bacteria free.