We know what you’re thinking. “How do the colder temperatures activate the enzymes detergents use to remove stains and smells?” Trust professional laundry service advice, using cold water works to remove stains and odors! 

Detergents use enzymes like protease, amylase, and mannanase, to remove the bacteria on your garments. That is what makes them so effective. These enzymes stay static until they come in contact with the warm water in your washing machine. From your laundry service experts, here’s what you need to know about washing in cold water: 

Laundry Service Tips | Cold Water

Over the years detergents have updated their enzymes to match new energy regulations on washing machines. They can activate in water as cold as 60℉. 

This means, with modern detergents and washing machines, cold water is just as effective as hot water in cleaning an average load of laundry.

Why is this good news? Here are a few reasons to wash with cold water. 

1. It’s better for your more delicate garments. (though we recommend using a laundry service.) 

If you check the care tag, many of your more delicate garments will say to wash in cold water. Cold water is more gentle than hot water when it comes to certain fabrics and embellishments. 

2. It’s easier on your garments in general. 

This is also true concerning much of the rest of your wardrobe. Cold water won’t cause fabrics to fade or lose color the same way hot water does in a wash cycle. It can even reduce wrinkles on garments with rayon based fabrics. 

The only area cold water struggles to compete is: odor. Sometimes hot water does a better job at getting rid of stubborn odors. Like the kind coming from your gym bag. 

The solution? Hot water isn’t necessarily needed to remove these stubborn odors. Soak your workout clothes in a cold-water pre-rinse with some vinegar before you throw them in the wash machine. The vinegar will help break down the bacteria and remove the odor. 

3. It’s better for your wallet — and the environment. 

Your washing machine guzzles large amounts of energy when it’s heating up water. When you start using cold water to do laundry, keep an eye on your energy bill. You’d be surprised at how much you’ve saved. 

This is also good for the environment. The move towards colder washing temperatures may have started as a way to protect fabrics, but the energy-efficiency benefits definitely helped detergent and washing machine manufacturers move along in the process. 

There are a few exceptions to this cold-water crusade. Some laundry products like oxiclean, need hot water. Make sure you read directions and check the web if you have questions. 

You should also switch back to hot temperatures if someone in your home is sick. The hot water is just a little better at sterilizing fabrics.