Laundry tips for washing at 30°

Posted by Charlotte Salter, on August 13, 2013.

Did you know that a few small changes in your washing habits, especially using lower temperatures, can add up to some big benefits? Washing at the lowest possible temperature helps you save energy and help the environment. And get this – your clothes will actually look good and last longer! So why not make a habit of lowering your washing temperature depending on what you’re washing?

Here are some handy tips to help you get your clothes as clean as ever while saving water, CO₂ and money.

1. SORT ACCORDING TO COLOUR

Separate dark colours from colours and pastels and whites.

2. CHECK THE CARE LABEL

Check the care label to know how best to clean your clothes. It provides helpful information on the regular wash and care of your garment without damaging the fabric. The number in the washtub icon on your clothing care label specifies the maximum washing temperature in degrees Celsius and should never be exceeded. So in fact washing at a lower temperature is absolutely possible. Try it and save energy!

Find more helpful advice on clothing care at www.clevercare.info.

3. SORT ACCORDING TO REQUIRED WASHING TEMPERATURE

Separate higher risk items (from a health point of view) from normal daily laundry. These items, for example clothes worn by an ill person, should be washed separately from other items in a 60° wash, with a general purpose powder detergent, if the care label allows. Normal daily laundry items can usually be washed at low temperatures such as 30°, especially if they are lightly to moderately soiled. However, for items that are in intimate body contact and that may be contaminated by body fluids (e.g. underwear), a wash temperature of 30-40° and use of a general-purpose powder detergent is recommended.

4. USE THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF DETERGENT

Carefully follow the dosing instructions on your detergent packs. Always dose according to soil level and water hardness. Increasingly products are concentrated and using more of the product doesn’t mean better results. Following the instructions can really make a difference!

5. RUN FULL LOADS

Always make sure you use a full load. Putting your machine on twice with two separate half loads uses much more energy, water and cleaning product than a properly filled single load.

6. RECYCLE AND REFILL

Finally, always do the right thing with your empty packaging by either recycling or refilling.

Find more low temperature laundry tips and information here: http://iprefer30.eu/en#more_tips