can you wash clothes thoroughly without using hot water

Heat and/or chemicals destroy bacteria. However, it takes temperatures at least 60 degrees to activate the laundry detergent. A splash of Hydrogen Peroxide in the wash load will do the trick.

Nope ive been using only cold water for a long time (hot water is busted) and my clothes come out clean.

I never use hot water. Have not for years. And I am into doing laundry. Cold water always in my house.

No. That's why hippies stink.

Hot water is a better solvent for the dirt and oils that get on clothes through normal wear.

Pee on them!!

Cold water is fine. I only use cold water.

Cold water for the last 15 years. No problems. Use liquid not powder. Pre treat any bad stains before washing. No problems here.

I use hot water for things like underwear, towels, socks...

Everything else is cold water. Period. Clothes seem to be fine and clean around here :)

Washing hot always shrinks my clothes

Fill the machine and let the clothes soak in it for an hour first. The water will at least get to room temp and the dirt will come out better with a soak.

Well this is a surprise to me... I thought all washing machines used cold water! Well all machines we use here in Europe do. It's the washing machine that makes the water warm.

I only use cold for most loads. Never had a problem and my clothes smell great.

I use warm for whites and cold for colors... less fading and shrinking.

I never use hot water.

My clothes last forever, smell great, and seem to clean up just fine.

Agree with the liquid laundry soap, also. And pre-treating stains. Use longer wash times for heavily soiled garments.

Hot water can actually 'fix' stains

There is nothing wrong with using cold water, most laundry detergents are made for it

If you are worried about bacteria then hang your clothes in the sun or use a drier. I mean you do that anyway right?

Hot water for underwear, towels and sheets. Cold water is better for clothing, colors last longer and shrink less.

so youreally have two tubes going IN or am I just stupid?

If your detergent is formulated for cold water - then you can use cold water.

Prewash soaking also works wonders for stubborn soiling.

As for killing bacterias/viruses - use a cloth's line - hanging the clothing out in the sun will expose it to UV radiation. UV is deadly for most microorganisms.

There are several eco-friendly detergents that wash in cold water on the market.

[link to www.grist.org] for more information.

We use *All Small & Mighty Free & Clear*

8 years ago we bought a wash machine, Since we only have 450 square feet of space it went out on the porch. Instead of hooking it up to the septic system I ran a line to a temporary holding tank - I use that to collect shower and laundry water (gray water).

I did not run a hot water line to the washer.

Since then we have had very clean cloths, low water wastage (use it to water the lawn, the garden).

We really have two tubes going in :) That's pretty standard here.

Unless one owns a fancy machine that heats it up for you.

i always use cold water, my clothes are clean. it's the soap bubbles and the agitation that cleans them, not the hot water.

Yes! And the dryer can cook stains in, too.

Depends what you mean with thoroughly. Most bacteria die at at least 60 degrees celcius (140 Fahrenheit) or with chemicals. E.g. salmonella is killed at 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

true

If you think he's a penny pincher now, just wait till he brings home a tub and board.

I'd say cold water for everything except underwear & towels.

I read that even cold water washed away germs.

You can always boil a pot of water and put it in the cold water to make it warm water.

I use hot for whites and bleach (socks), warm for towels, cold for everything else. If it's an especially dirty load I add a little Oxy-Clean. Oh, and I like the laundry smelling good so I use fabric softener in the rinse.

Wow, I have to have my clothes washed in hot water.

I sweat a lot.

A very interesting thing, Samsung has a washer that adds silver particles to the water. They claim it kills all bacteria so there are no odors even if you use cold water.

Hot water kills the cooties.