When it comes to doing our laundry, there are some basic rules we’ve all been told to follow. Be it separating our colors from the whites and using the correct temperature to dispense the right amount of detergent, there are plenty of common laundry habits that make a lot of sense.
However, as technology advances, certain techniques are now becoming outdated. The advancement of washing machines, detergent formulas, and clothing fabric itself means our old routines have become nothing more than bad habits.
One common laundry rule that I’ve always sworn by is washing whites at a hotter temperature. After all, isn’t this the best way to get our white clothes whiter? Well, it turns out that it doesn’t need it. Here’s why.
Debunking the whites laundry rule
According to experts, we no longer need a hot temperature to get our white garments clean. And using cold water for regular laundry, including whites, is the new norm for modern washing machines.
Of course, there are times when a warm or hot temperature will be necessary for heavily soiled items, or for removing stubborn stains like oil. In fact, experts recommend applying a pre-stain treatment before throwing it into the washing machine.
“Gently blot the affected area with a cloth and cold water to lift as much as possible,” advises Michelle Feng, laundry expert and Product Marketing Manager at Hisense.
“Follow by pre-treating with a stain remover or mild detergent, and allow it to soak in for a few minutes before washing. When selecting a wash cycle, assess the type of stain to get the best results. Colder settings are often more effective on stains like grass and food, while higher temperatures work better at breaking down tougher marks such as ink spills and smudges.”
And if you believe that adding extra laundry detergent to your white load will help clothes get brighter, you can think again.
“When tackling a whites wash, it can be tempting to add extra detergent for a brighter clean,” adds Feng. “But in reality, using too much can have the opposite effect. Excess detergent often leaves residue on fabrics, causing whites to appear dull and less fresh over time.”
So the next time you’re doing laundry and want brighter whites, remember to ditch the old rule (and in with the new), and potentially save on your utility bills.
Before throwing everything into your machine, always follow the instructions on the label and avoid these big laundry mistakes. If in doubt however, check out our guide to all care labels to find out what our laundry symbols mean.
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