A 20 degree wash is generally effective at removing dirt, stains and bacteria from clothes. It is the temperature setting used for a standard cycle on washing machines that are certified for use in the home. This temperature will effectively clean most clothing items, however certain fabrics may require a different setting or more delicate cycle to avoid fading or damage.
For overall cleaning power, 20 degrees is an effective temperature choice; however it may not be suitable for all fabrics and needs to be considered with regards to specific garment care instructions. Even on the lower temperatures, using a pre-wash cycle can help to eject tougher stains. When set on a 20 degree wash, detergent additives such as bleaches have time to act more effectively than at higher temperatures and so are able to break down stubborn build-ups of dirt, limescale and soap residues.
Generally speaking, if you’re following garment care instructions then washing your clothes at 20 degrees should leave them feeling refreshed and smelling clean — with some added peace of mind that any germs have been eradicated too!
Introduction to 20 degree washing
If you care about the environment, 20 degree washing is an essential household habit. It’s using far less energy and far less water than a standard washing cycle — but still achieving the clean results you’d expect from higher temperatures. The key is to make sure that your clothes have been pre-treated with stain removers and protectors before they go into the machine.
So what are the benefits of choosing a 20 degree wash?This low temperature setting not only conserves natural resources, it also helps preserve the colour and shape of certain fabrics, like wools and cottons. It’s also gentler on delicate fabrics such as silk, preventing them from shrinking or losing tick collars for cats their form. This ensures that any delicates you own will remain in good condition for longer periods of time. Additionally, some brands offer detergents specifically designed for lower temperature washes to provide even better results!
Benefits Of 20 Degree Washing Compared To Normal Temperature Washing
One of the biggest benefits of a 20-degree wash is energy savings. The lower temperature uses less electricity than a higher temperature setting, and this can result in significant savings, especially if you’re washing regularly. It’s estimated that using a 20 degree setting rather than a 40 degree one will save roughly 75 per cent of the cost of your washing machine cycle.
Another benefit to 20-degree washes is their effectiveness at killing bacteria while remaining gentle enough on fabrics and avoiding damage. Wash tests have shown that even when set on its lowest heat setting, up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria can be killed without any risk of shrinking or discoloring clothes. This makes it effective at killing germs while protecting delicate garments such as silk or wool.
Finally, using a low temperature cycle also helps to protect color and other sensitive fabrics from fading over time due to high temperatures water or harsh detergents used in traditional washing methods. Even though these energy efficient washes use less water and power, the quality is still maintained thanks to the lower temperature settings used.
Disadvantages of 20 Degree Washing
One of the major disadvantages of 20 degree washing is that it can irreparably damage certain fabrics. Fabrics such as wool, silk, spandex and nylon are all prone to shrinking or becoming misshapen when washed at low temperatures. Additionally, twenty degree washes don’t tend to clean clothes very effectively, leading to dirtier clothes and a shorter lifespan for some items of clothing.
Another disadvantage of twenty degree washing is that it costs more than wash cycles with higher tempuratures. Cold water holds less detergent before becoming ineffective, so you may have to use more detergent per wash in order to get the same result from a higher temperature setting. And lastly, coldwater cycles take much longer than warm or hot water settings; therefore your laundry days could become longer as you switch over.
Eco-Friendliness of the Process
When doing a 20 degree wash, you need to pay attention to the type of detergent used. If eco-friendly, water-saving detergents like nonbiological powders are used, then a 20 degree wash can be extremely effective and eco-friendly. These types of detergents are designed specifically not to produce foam as quickly at low temperatures as other detergent types, so they’ll help reduce bubbles in the washer and prevent clothes from becoming overly wet or damaged during the washing process.
Moreover, when combined with cold water washes, these detergents generally become optimized for effectiveness and energy efficiency — meaning that your laundry will come out clean while saving on energy bills in the process. For even more eco-friendliness, use a delay timer on your washing machine so that it does its job in off peak times when utilities won’t cost as much.
What Can the Average Consumer Do?
The average consumer can do quite a bit to maximize the effectiveness of their 20 degree wash. First, they should always follow the instructions given on clothes labels, which indicate specifically what temperature washing cycle is recommended for that fabric type. As a general rule, not all fabrics can handle a 20 degree wash—garments like woollens and delicates in particular may require warmer temperatures for effective cleaning.
But if careful sorting has been done and labelling guidelines are followed, there are still more ways to make the most out of a 20 degree wash. The use of pre-treaters and detergents specially formulated with enzymes is one way to make sure your clothes are as clean as possible at lower temperatures. Specialty laundry balls or discs available on the market also claim to offer better cleaning results at lower temperatures if added directly into the drum during your wash cycle. Finally, running two spin cycles instead of one will ensure that all moisture is squeezed out of your garments before they go into the dryer—this will reduce drying time and wear on those items in the long run!