Yes, washing clothes in cold water is just as effective as using hot water

Many people think using hot or warm water to wash clothes is better than washing them in cold water because they believe the heat makes their clothes cleaner.
But some detergent companies, including Tide, have claimed that washing clothes in cold water is just as effective as using hot water.
THE QUESTION:
Is washing clothes in cold water just as effective as using hot water?
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[@verifythis]

You can read our full report here: www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/environment-verify/washing-clothes-in-cold-water-is-just-as-effective-as-using-hot-water-fact-check/536-c9d8a261-4543-41c2-981e-532d5c2102fe Have questions for VERIFY? Email us at [e-mail]

[@socksumi]

What have you got against hot water? Would you wash your dishes in cold water? Unseen germs, bacteria, etc. Hot water kills them, cold does not. You can see how much more quickly dirt dissolves in hot water. Laws of physics say so. When I wash plastic coffee cones used to make coffee, I blast cold water on it and it still smells like stale coffee. I blast hot water and it smells clean. With or without soap, hot is always better as long as clothes can take it.

[@dogukankaradag4690]

Lightly soiled or dark items are okay for washing cold water, however using constantly cold water will eventually leave mold in the washer and undissolved residue in clothing. Hot water cleans better and this is simply because it activates the chemicals in the detergent and penetrates stains deeper leaving better cleanliness.

[@raylopez99]

But given Americans wash clothes way too often, it's unlikely clothes will be "heavily" soiled anyway. As for mold, they have a pill for that, you drop it in your washer every few months and it cleans the mold out. Tide makes it.

[@rabbithole8592]

It's Physics

[@vicsaggu]

always leave your washer and dryers doors open when not in use , it helps with keeping mold at bay

[@NeurodivergentGuy2023]

That’s why you run it on an empty hot cycle after a few weeks, usually stops this

[@socksumi]

Also because hot water molecules vibrate much faster than cold water.

[@Imtoofat6987]

I use warm water on powdered detergent because cold water will not mix the soap

[@JohnDegurechaff]

Your water might have too much lime. I'm thinking of getting a water softener and only doing cold water washes of clothing. Cheaper in the long run on bills.

[@rabbithole8592]

Hot water breaks up dirt better than cold. It's simple physics.

[@turtlefromthenorth]

Americans (at least a few of them) have used cold water wash at least since the 1980s, with detergents made for the purpose. It can work well, but in the long run, most people will run into problems if they don`t adjust it to their needs. The new pods aren`t that effective, there seem to be a build up after a while, not sure what it is, but a hot water wash for some items really freshens up now and then. Clothes used in real life, isn`t the same as a laboratory test.

[@aj897]

Even the lab tests from Clorox prove that hot water cleans the most overall.

[@socksumi]

Hot water cleans much faster and more effectively.

[@jacoblowe387]

i mean you still come across bacteria and stuff that wont die in a cold wash

[@raylopez99]

Bacteria also lives in Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National park and in deep sea hot water vents...

[@greenleaf8226]

do you think bacteria will survive all the chemicals that are in laundry detergent?? i doubt very mich they are immune or hungry for those chemicals

[@flutterbree]

​@@greenleaf8226I might unironically test this with a petri dish

[@denisemezynski8014]

I also thought that Hot water SET the STAINS, as does Heat\ Dryer!?

[@MrNicePotato]

It’s not hot water. It’s the heat. Hot water will dissolve solutes better plus it activates the enzymes and surfactants better. Hot air on the other hand dry out the stains and speed up the bonding reactions between the stains and the fabric. But still, temperature helps kill germs one way or the other.

[@aj897]

False, many studies conclude the higher the temperature, the more effective the laundry detergent is, including “cold water” detergents.

[@RcNerd]

Bs more eco bs lg have said never wash below 30c