Energy Steps: Wash Clothes on Cold Cycle

Courtesy of www.EarthHero.org

Ease: Easy
Impact Rating (1-5): 2
Influence Beyond You: 1
Types of Impacts: Save Water, Money saver, Save Energy

Does it help with making your community resilient to disasters and emergencies? No

Tags: Home owner, Renter

Money Saved (1-4 $): $

Description: You might have heard that hot water washes best, but times change. New detergent technology uses enzymes that actually work better in cold water. Cold water is gentler on your clothes, and can protect them from fading, shrinking or bleeding. Plus you save money from unnecessary water heating.

Tips:

• Cold water is gentler on your clothes, plus you can wash larger loads of more mixed colors – thus saving water.

• Hot water heating accounts for about 90 percent of the energy your machine uses to wash clothes — only 10 percent goes to electricity used by the washer motor.

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Image credit: PlanetCare on Unsplash