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You might not think it makes a difference, but trust us – it does. With colder washes saving you energy – and money – and clothes at risk of being damaged if washed incorrectly, you should be paying close attention to how you wash your loads.

Washing in an industrial machine or for health / aged care services? There is a whole different set of rules and regulations you need to wash to, to ensure disinfection. Keep your eyes on our upcoming blog about infection control and decontamination in your laundry room.

Here’s how to properly wash your laundry in a commercial washing machine;

Bright and Dark Colours

When it comes to colours – whether they be bright yellow or deep red, you’d be better set washing at a cooler temperature. Not only is this better for your bank account, but it’s better for the materials you’re washing. The hotter the water is, the more chance there is of your clothes losing dye and becoming faded and worn.

If you’re really worried about clothes losing their dye, wash them before their first wear and use white vinegar instead of detergent.

Denim and Jeans

Jeans are a staple in many wardrobes and used in some work uniforms and heavy-duty clothing. If you wash denim in a high-temperature wash too often, you might find that you need to renew your supply. Instead, focus on short, cool washes for the little things, and reserve the intense, hot washes for the big messes. This will help to stop your jeans from fading.

Wool

Washing wool in a hot wash is a sure-fire way to ensure you won’t be wearing them away – but they might look good on your daughter’s Barbie! If too much heat is applied to wool during a wash, the fibers cling together and your textiles come out looking three sizes too small. To avoid this, be gentle. A cool wash, a low cycle, and a high-quality, mild detergent are the three key factors in keeping your wool cosy and fresh.

Towels

For the most part, good advice is to keep your washes at a low temperature – but this advice can be thrown out of the window when it comes to washing your towels. Yes, you might be spending a bit more on your energy bills to wash them at a higher temperature, but it’s worth it. Washing towels (and bedding) at a high temperature is the best way to kill any germs or bacteria that may be lingering. We spend a lot of time around towels – and so do our faces. Give yourself the best chance of having fresh, clean towels by washing them between 40 and 60 degrees.

White Clothes

While the advice you may have received from your parents may have told you to wash your whites at a higher temperature, this isn’t necessarily the best course of action. Yes, there’s no risk of leaking colours, and you want to be sure of removing any and all stains, which are immediately visible on white fabrics – but a hot wash isn’t always the way to do it.

Instead, you should make an effort to look closely at the care labels on your clothes. Some may offer a recommended temperature for washing – and you should abide by what it says. Fabrics such as cotton and wool can be prone to shrinking in high temperatures – so make sure you check what is best for different fabrics.

You might be convinced that a cool wash won’t leave your whites feeling as fresh, but give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised.

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