How many times have you mindlessly set your washing machine to 40°C, thinking that this is the optimal temperature for washing clothes? Have you ever thought that you might be making a fatal mistake?
Laundry - the 40 degree myth - why it's no longer the gold standard
Laundry For many years, 40°C was considered a kind of golden mean. Neither too cold nor too hot. It seemed like the perfect choice for everyday wear.
However, the reality is quite different. This temperature does not provide better hygiene than you might imagine. On the contrary – it can do more harm than good.
This advice is based on expert assessment of experience and many years of analysis of the operation of modern washing machines. Experts are increasingly warning that washing clothes in40 °C experienced practice, which does not bring the benefits we once expected.
Washing at 40°C wears out fabrics
You may not even realize it, but clothes, washed at 40 °C, often come out of the machine more wrinkled. Fabrics, especially delicate ones, lose their elasticity, shape and colour. This temperature is right at the limit where wear and tear processes start to accelerate. If you wash an expensive or special wardrobe, you will damage it over time.
Energy inefficiency – a hidden trap
Every degree more means more electricity consumption. And while it may not sound drastic, the difference is quickly noticeable on your bill. Washing at 30 °C can also be used up to 40 % less energy like washing at 40°C. By using lower temperatures several times a year, you can save more than you think. At a time when we are all trying to reduce our carbon footprint, this is an important step.
Modern alternatives – 30 °C and even less
Washing machines allow high-quality washing at lower temperatures, and some programs are also adjusted for 20 °C. What until recently worked as an illusion, today works perfectly in practice.
Just a few adjustments are needed: choose a longer cycle, use a more effective detergent, and pre-treat visible stains. The result is refreshed laundry, without compromise.
Why insist on 40°C when there is a better solution?
Every time we wash our laundry at 40°C, we risk the colors fading faster, materials destroy and clothes lose their shape. In addition, this unnecessarily burdens the environment and increases costs.
If we can lower the temperature and still achieve cleanliness, why not do it?
It's time to change habits
Change brings benefits. Washing clothes at 20–30 °C It's not only safer for your clothes, but also kinder to the environment and your wallet. Today's technology enables solutions that were once considered impossible.
Experts emphasize that this is an effective and smart approach in the long term. Don't cling to your old routine. Lower the temperature, extend the life of your clothes and reduce costs – without sacrificing quality. The time to change is now.
