Get your ‘best wash yet’ at 30C and make clothes ‘look better and last longer’

Households may think that washing on the highest temperature setting is the only way to get a thorough clean, but doing so may actually damage garments.

For those doing a wash of mixed colours and fabrics, it’s probably best to use 30 degrees to prevent colours from running.

For those interested in washing their clothes at a lower temperature, laundry experts at Comfort fabric conditioner have shared how a cold wash can still give “great cleaning results” to achieve “your best wash yet” in just six steps.

1. Sort the laundry 

To get “your best wash and ensure clothes stay in tip-top condition”, it’s best to sort out the laundry to avoid any damage. 

Start by separating light from dark clothes and wash like with like e.g. keep towels away from delicates.

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2. Read the care label 

The clothing care label will tell households the maximum temperature an item of clothing can be washed at. It’s okay to wash at a lower temperature than recommended, “but don’t go any higher” warned the experts.

The label will also tell say whether an item is handwash only or if it needs to be dry cleaned.

3. Pre-treat stains 

Even “heavily-stained items” can be washed at 30 degrees, provided households pay them some “special attention”. 

The experts instructed: “Pre-treat any stains by applying liquid detergent or a dedicated stain remover directly to the stain and leaving for a few minutes. 

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Once the affected area has been soaked in the detergent or stain remover, the garment can be popped into the wash as usual.

4. Use a good laundry detergent

A good quality detergent is key to getting good results at lower temperatures. Households will have to decide whether to go for a bio or non-bio detergent, though in general bio detergents are more effective than their non-bio counterparts when washing at 30 degrees. 

Make sure to follow the instructions, taking into account water hardness for your area (hard water generally requires a higher dose) and avoid using too much detergent. This is especially important with highly energy-efficient washing machines, which use less water.

The experts recommend adding Comfort fabric conditioner to the wash to ensure that clothes are delivered “as soft as can be and stay fresh for up to 100 days”.

5. Choose the right wash cycle 

Washing machines have different cycles so it is essential to match the fabrics being washed to the right wash cycle. If the items being washed are cotton ensure a cotton wash is selected and for delicates such as silk, there is often another setting for this.

Different types of machines have different programs – some can have up to 20, including very specific ones for things like baby clothes and even a setting that can be suitable for many handwash-only clothing items. 

6. Load the washing machine correctly 

Put on a full load to maximise energy efficiency, but make sure to not overload the machine either. A washing machine “should never be loaded past three-quarters of the drum”. 

If it’s packed too tightly clothes may end up only partially clean. This is often one of the reasons why clothes can still smell after they’ve been through the wash.

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