Why You Should Use Cold Water in Your Cleaning Machines
Discover the environmental and economic benefits of using cold water in your laundry and dishwashing routines.
For decades, many households have believed that only hot water can truly get laundry and dishes clean. However, this is a myth that modern science, detergents, and washing machine technology have thoroughly debunked. Today, using cold water in your washing machine and dishwasher is one of the simplest, most effective ways to save energy, cut costs, extend the lifespan of your belongings, reduce pollution, and shrink your environmental footprint. Below, we’ll explore the reasons why cold water is a smart, sustainable choice and how you can make the switch effectively.
The Big Picture: Environmental Impact
Heating water requires immense amounts of energy. Across the typical home, washing machines and dishwashers can be major contributors to your utility bills—not because of the rinse cycles, but because of the water heating. By choosing cold water, you sharply reduce your home’s energy consumption with a single dial twist.
- About 90% of the energy use in a washing cycle comes from heating the water, according to Energy Star.
- Switching every laundry load from hot to cold can prevent hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually for just one household.
- If every U.S. household switched just one load a week from hot to cold water, the collective savings would be massive in terms of both money and ecological impact.
Using cold water helps fight climate change and supports global efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
How Cold Water Cleans: New Science and Formulations
Modern laundry detergents and dishwashing products have evolved. Most liquid and pod formulas are now specifically engineered to work in cold water, breaking down dirt, grime, body oils, and food residues effectively. Unless you’re dealing with heavy grease, blood, or oil-based stains, cold water is up to the task.
- Enzyme-based detergents are optimized for lower temperatures, ensuring a deep clean without the need for extra heat.
- Powdered detergents may not dissolve as well in cold water, so liquids or pods are often recommended for best results.
- Stains like grass, makeup, and everyday soilings can all be removed in cold water cycles.
There are now products labeled as “cold water” or “for cold water washing”—these maximize results and should be available at any major supermarket.
Key Benefits of Switching to Cold Water
1. Significant Energy and Cost Savings
- Cut your washing machine’s energy use by up to 90% simply by turning the temperature dial to “cold.”
- Reduced household energy bills, a straightforward way to stretch your budget.
- Lower demand on the electrical grid, especially during peak usage hours.
2. Prolongs the Life of Clothing and Fabrics
- Hot water can damage fabric fibers, leading to premature wear, thinning, and fading.
- Cold water is gentler on natural fibers (cotton, linen, bamboo), synthetics, and mixed materials.
- Patterns, colors, and prints stay vibrant longer when washed in cold water—ideal for garments with dark or bright colors.
- Reduces shrinkage and stretching, keeping clothes fitting properly over time.
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3. Reduces Microfiber Pollution
Microfibers are microscopic plastic threads that break away from synthetic fabrics during washing, entering waterways and ultimately the ocean. This pollution poses a grave threat to aquatic life and makes its way up the food chain to humans.
- Washing in cold water significantly reduces the amount of microfibers shed during laundry cycles.
- Cooler water and gentler cycles slow fiber breakdown, protecting both clothes and the environment.
- Cold water plus washing full loads (not overfilling nor underfilling) further lessens microfiber discharge.
4. Improves Fabric Care for Delicate Items
- Items made from wool, silk, rayon, or spandex can be permanently damaged, shrunken, or distorted by hot water.
- Cold water avoids heat stress on sensitive fibers, increasing the lifespan of your favorite delicate garments.
- Recommended for lingerie, activewear, swimsuits, and anything prone to stretching or pilling.
5. Less Color Fading and Bleeding
- Cold water helps prevent dark and bright colors from bleeding during the wash, protecting the vibrancy and preventing unwanted dye transfer.
- Especially important for patterned items, or clothing with bold contrasts between light and dark areas.
6. Reduced Wrinkling
- Cooler water is less harsh on fibers, resulting in fewer and less-set-in wrinkles.
- Picking cold cycles can mean less fuss with the iron after laundry day.
Laundry Detergents Designed for Cold Water
To get excellent results, pair your cold water wash with a detergent suitable for low temperatures. Most major brands now offer formulas crafted for cold or normal temperature water. These are typically liquid or pod formats as they dissolve quickly and clean effectively at 15°C–25°C (59°F–77°F).
- Look for the “cold water” mark on detergent packages for best results.
- Powder detergents can sometimes fail to dissolve fully in cold water, leading to residue on clothing—opt for liquids instead.
- Liquid stain removers can be pre-applied to tough spots before a cold wash.
- Follow the dosing instructions carefully. Too much detergent can leave clothes feeling stiff or coated.
How to Get the Best Results with Cold Water
- Sort clothes as you would for regular laundry—separate whites, darks, delicates, heavy items, and synthetics for best results.
- Address stains immediately: Treat stains quickly by blotting (not rubbing) and using an enzymatic stain remover before washing in cold water.
- Wash full loads to maximize efficiency and further cut microfiber shedding.
- Minimize friction: Use shorter cycles for lightly soiled loads, and avoid heavy agitation when not needed.
- Always follow garment care labels—some items like cloth diapers, bedding with dust mites, or heavily soiled work clothes may require warmer water for sanitary reasons.
Are There Any Times When Warm or Hot Water Is Necessary?
While cold water is effective for the majority of laundry and cleaning, some scenarios call for warmer temperatures:
- Heavy grease and oil stains often require warm or hot water to fully dissolve and lift the residue.
- Sanitizing is necessary after illness, for linens contaminated with body fluids, or cleaning items that need strict disinfecting (including some baby and hospital linens).
- Pre-treatment or spot-treating with an appropriate cleaner can often eliminate the need for an all-hot water cycle for most stains.
Cold Water in Dishwashers: Eco Myths and Realities
Modern dishwashers are engineered to heat their own internal water to the desired temperature, regardless of what comes from your tap. However, running rinse-only or quick cycles with cold tap water can still help save energy for light cleaning needs or pre-washing. Most of the environmental argument for cold water applies even more strongly to laundry, since the volume and frequency of clothes washing is typically much higher.
What about Cold Water and Hygiene?
The belief that hot water is essential for cleanliness dates back generations, fueled by old concerns about soap effectiveness and bacteria killing. However, with today’s formulations and frequent household laundering, this concern is largely outdated:
- Modern enzymatic detergents dissolve most dirt, bacteria, and body oils even at low temperatures.
- Frequent washing, using a quality detergent, and washing full loads is far more important for hygiene than water temperature in the vast majority of cases.
- Smelly gym clothes, towels, and athletic wear can be sanitized using specially formulated cold water detergents with odor fighters and enzyme boosters.
Reserve occasional hot or warm cycles for post-illness laundry, baby diapers, or allergen protection if needed.
Tips for Transitioning to Cold Water Washing
- Start by switching your regular clothes loads and delicates to cold water cycles.
- Use a reputable, cold-water-compatible liquid laundry detergent.
- Keep powder detergent for extra-hot cycles only, if needed.
- For extra freshness on cold washes, occasionally use an oxygen-based booster or baking soda, especially on musty towels or work clothes.
- If you have a high-efficiency washer, it’s already designed to perform best with lower temperatures.
- Keep an eye out for manufacturers’ “eco” or “smart” cycles designed to use cold or cooler water by default.
Quantifying the Impact: How Much Energy and CO2 Do You Save?
| Washing Method | Energy Use (per load) | CO2 Emissions (annual, est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water wash | ~4.5 kWh | ~500 lbs (per average household) |
| Warm water wash | ~2.3 kWh | ~300 lbs |
| Cold water wash | ~0.3 kWh | ~60 lbs |
Estimates based on typical U.S. washing machine usage and emissions factors. Households that routinely wash in cold can save as much electricity as running five LED lightbulbs year-round, not to mention the environmental dividends if adopted nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Will my clothes really get clean in cold water?
A: Yes. Modern cold water detergents contain enzymes that break down most soils and body oils, and washing machines’ mechanical action helps scrub garments effectively. For most everyday clothing, cold water is sufficient. For stubborn stains or after illness, spot treat and/or consider a warm cycle as needed.
Q: Can I use cold water for all my laundry?
A: In almost all cases, yes. Exceptions include sanitizing soiled bed linens, cloth diapers, or items contaminated with infectious material. Regular daily wear, delicates, activewear, and colors are all ideal for cold water washing.
Q: Do I need special detergent for cold water?
A: Dedicated cold water detergents are best, especially for heavy stains or very hard water. In general, any high-quality liquid detergent marked for use in cold water works well. Avoid powder detergents unless they are specifically designed to dissolve in cold.
Q: What if my washing machine isn’t very new?
A: Even older machines will wash clothes effectively in cold, as long as detergent is suitable. You may want to keep a bottle of hot water-compatible liquid detergent for rare instances when a hot cycle is needed.
Q: Does cold water work for hand-washing?
A: Absolutely. Use cold water for hand-washing delicates, using gentle agitation and a detergent for cold water or delicates.
Conclusion: Small Change, Big Results
Making the shift to cold water washing is an easy, impactful habit. It meets the triple bottom line of saving money, protecting resources, and extending the life of your clothes. With today’s detergents and machines, you don’t have to compromise cleanliness or convenience to make a greener choice. This one simple switch in your household can have ripple effects that last for years, supporting a healthier planet—one load at a time.
References
- https://www.armandhammer.com/en/articles/when-to-wash-in-cold-vs-hot-water
- https://www.pitchcare.com/blogs/news/tree-hugger%C2%AE-a-sustainable-solution-for-tree
- https://artofstonegardening.com/i-speak-for-the-trees-pt-1
- https://www.treehuggerpod.com/episodes/cold-curious
- https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz/help-wildlife-beat-the-heat-by-leaving-water-out-for-them/
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