Washing smarter: Why 86°F is the new standard for clean clothes

Is it really necessary to wash our clothes at 104°F for them to be clean? Specialists have identified the ideal temperature for our clothes.

Many of us have been used to washing clothes at 104°F for years. This solution seems to be a golden mean between effective cleaning and protecting the fabrics.

However, more and more experts from the household appliance industry and plumbers emphasize that higher temperatures are not always necessary and can lead to unnecessary energy consumption and damage to clothes.

One of the most important arguments for washing at lower temperatures is energy savings. Heating water in washing machines consumes a lot of electricity during the wash cycle.

Switching from 104°F to 86°F or even 68°F can significantly reduce energy bills and, more importantly, limit our carbon footprint. According to estimates, washing at 86°F can use up to 40% less energy than a 104°F wash cycle.

Another important aspect of washing at lower temperatures is protecting our clothes. Higher temperatures can cause fabrics to wear out faster, especially delicate ones like wool, silk, or synthetics. Washing at 86°F allows for maintaining the intensity of colors, the elasticity of materials, and their texture for longer. Longer fabric lifespan not only saves money but also reduces textile waste, which positively impacts the environment.

Some people fear that washing at 86°F will not remove all stains. However, this is a myth. Washing machine manufacturers, seeing the growing interest in energy savings and environmental protection, are introducing more advanced models that optimize washing at lower temperatures.

Many of them offer eco programs that shorten washing time and adjust the temperature to the level of clothing contamination while minimizing water and electricity consumption.

Another concern is that lower temperatures do not kill all bacteria and microorganisms. While there are situations where higher temperatures are recommended (e.g., washing bedding or towels), a temperature of 86°F is fully sufficient for effective everyday washing.