People have been discussing the most effective temperature at which to wash bed sheets (stock) (Image: Getty)
A couple who recently bought a set of luxurious Egyptian cotton bed sheets have sought advice on the best temperature to wash them at to ensure they come out clean and rid of any germs. Seeking guidance on Reddit, one of the pair explained in a post: « I went to wash them on 60 degrees as I normally do, but the other half checked the care label which says to wash on 40 degrees. I still think 60 degrees is better to get rid of dust mites and the like, but other half wants the sheets to last as long as possible (and is a stickler for rules) so insists on 40 degrees. »
Confident it’s « fine hygienically » at 40, the poster admitted: « I just feel that 60 is better. » It prompted a debate amongst hundreds of others as to what are the optimal washing machine settings for such a chore.
READ MORE: Remove wrinkles from clothes by adding natural item to the dryer
READ MORE: The top bedding picks I swear by as a homeware expert
One person detailed their habits, saying: « Everything goes in the oven at 180 degrees. Everything goes in the dishwasher on eco mode. Everything goes in the microwave on high. Everything goes in the washing machine at 40 degrees. »
A second added: « I wash everything on 40 or 30 degrees, including my very expensive Egyptian cotton bedding, and have done for many years. Washing it on 60 degrees is pointless if you don’t have to. »
Many others, however, advocated for 60 degrees, including one Reddit user who commented: « I am extremely infection-prone, so everything is washed at 60 degrees. Many of my things (from clothing to bedding) are very cheap and have washing instructions at 30 degrees but I’ve never had anything get damaged in the wash and my things typically last many years (normally 10+ years), modern day fabrics and dyes are better at handling high temps than older products. »
Another shared: « I have Egyptian cotton bedding that all says to wash at 40… I have washed them at 60 degrees for the past four years. I don’t feel like bedsheets feel properly clean at 40 degrees. »
While a third person reported: « I only use pure cotton bedding and normally at 60 degrees with towels. Now and again I do a hygiene wash on my machine at 90 degrees and have been known to bung them in on that for economy reasons. They’re fine. The buttons don’t melt or anything. »
Supporting the higher temperature advice, meanwhile, experts from Which? have shared their own support online. « Many of us wash the bulk of our clothes at 40 degrees. But cooler or hotter temperatures may be best for some items, » they stated.
Which? says of a 60 degree wash: « Think of 60 degrees as a hot wash. Washing at 60 degrees generally cleans slightly better than the 40-degree programme, especially on greasy stains. However, running costs increase by more than half. »
They go on to add that 60 degrees is « ideal » for bedding and lighter-coloured towels. « These items get a lot of heavy use, so a hot wash helps to keep them in their best condition for as long as possible, » Which? explained.
As for germs though, the experts point out that some bacterial spores and viruses are even resistant to 60-degree washes, so without an effective detergent they won’t be removed from your fabrics.
Which? quote the NHS website, noting they recommend underwear, towels and household linen being washed at 60 degrees to prevent the spread of germs, or at 40 degrees with a bleach-based laundry product.
The guidance closes: « It says nothing about washing at as high as 90 degrees to kill bacteria. And while washing at such a high temperature should certainly help to banish stains, only use it when the fabric is robust enough to stand up to the heat. Always check the label. »
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Source link
