Cold-Water Washing Secrets Unveiled

From preserving fabric quality to reducing carbon emissions, cold-water washing is still a hot topic in the laundry world and is the ultimate life hack you’ll wish you knew sooner.

1 in 6 Americans say they have bills they can’t pay, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve1. ?With economic uncertainty in the country, consumers have cut back on spending and expenses like laundry can start to add up.? While individual loads of laundry may not seem costly on their own, the cumulative expenses can become significant over time.

Failing to take into account energy-efficient practices, such as cold water, full loads, or air-drying clothes, can result in higher utility bills.? Moreover, frequent washing and drying of clothes can lead to faster wear and tear, reducing their lifespan and requiring more frequent replacements.

An overwhelming majority of survey participants, accounting for roughly 84%, confirmed their preference for washing laundry with cold water.

? 45% of U.S. consumers agreed that cold water saves on energy bills

? 44% of U.S. consumers confirmed cold water extends the look and feel of clothes

Although more than half of consumers2 appear to have adopted this new trend, there are still myths and misconceptions circulating about the effectiveness of cold water washing, but the truth remains that its benefits extend far beyond savings, ensuring brighter colors, longer garment lifespan, and reduced environmental impact.

When asked what their most often used laundry brand could improve on, U.S. consumers stated they wanted better stain removal and more environmentally friendly features. e

Here is a list of key ingredients to consider in laundry products, specifically designed for cold-water washing:

Surfactants

? Lutensol? → These products have various performance advantages such as fast wetting, excellent emulsification, and sustainable ingredients; additionally, ethoxylated Lutensol surfactants demonstrate superior solubility in water at lower temperatures

? Lutensol CS 6250 & Lutensol XP 40:? Designed to clean in cold water

? Lutensol LA 60 & Lutensol A 65 N:? Result in a more lipophilic mixture, making it more effective against oil-based stains.?

Polymers

? Sokalan? → Boosts surfactant performance for enhanced cleaning

? BVERDE? → Provides performance of acrylate chemistry without sacrificing on sustainability

? Sokalan HP 20:? Shows better performance against enzymatic stains such as chocolate syrup, grass and tea

? BVERDE GP 790 L:? 79% biobased and readily biodegradable polymer that is more compatible with standard detergent formulations than acrylic-based chemistry

Enzymes

? Lavergy? → Acts as a stain-removing solution and whiteness maintenance

? Lavergy C Bright 100 L:? Designed to deliver superior cleaning and anti-redeposition performance

? Lavergy Pro 106 LS:? Tough against protein stains in cold water conditions

? Lavergy Pro 114 LS:? Tough against protein stains in cold water conditions, contains a non-borate stabilizer

? Lavergy M Ace 100 L:? Excellent cleaning of mannan and gum type stains in cold and quick washing cycles

Want to learn more?

Sources:

1 NPR May 2024 | 2 Sustainable Brands