Revealed: The Washing Machine Temperature A Doctor 'Doesn't See The Point In'

What's your go-to washing machine temperature?You might already know that overloading your washing machine drum dooms your clothesto longer-lasting dampness – but did you know it could also shorten your appliance’s lifespan? Additionally, Lenor says we should consider shaking our clothes before bunging them into the dryer, as that helps to “extract surplus water and damp”. And apparently, the temperature at which you set your washing machine matters much more than we think, according to doctor and broadcaster Dr Xand van Tulleken. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, he said he doesn’t “see the point” in one setting in particular, as it neither kills off germs nor saves you much money.Here’s the most “useless” washing machine temperatureDr van Tulleken started off by saying that 90°C is usually a bit excessive, as it “almost boils” your clothes. Though it does “kill” germs, the doctor joked that “whatever’s happened” to garments that need that extreme a heat setting likely means they need to be binned anyway. If your household has an infection like Norovirus, Dr Van Tulleken stated you’ll probably be best off washing on a 60°C cycle.Then he added, “personally, I don’t see the point in 40°C... it’s too hot to be cheap, and it’s too cold to kill [germs]”. The NHS has advised patients who spend time in hospital to wear clothes that can be washed at 60°C to avoid spreading bacteria like Clostridium difficile (C.diff).Any lower, and the germs will likely survive. View this post on InstagramA post shared by BBC Morning Live (@bbcmorninglive)But what if I’m not sick?Most of the time, if you’re not unwell, 60°C is excessive. But even then, Dr van Tulleken (and consumer advocacy publication Which?) say 40°C isn’t ideal. 30°C “gets the job done,” the doctor shared (Which? found that on average, switching from 40°C to 30°C saved 38% energy, or about £24 a year). Personally, though, the doctor is a “20°C guy for everything” except his workout clothes. Which? wrote that this saves 62% energy or £39 a year compared to 40°C; they recommend washing at either 20°C or 30°C where possible. Though this may leave your washing machine drum a little less boil-wash-clean than higher temps, that’s resolved by simply running “a monthly hot maintenance wash (60°C with the machine empty and washing machine cleaner in the detergent tray)”.Related...This Washing Machine Setting Is Why Your Black Jeans Keep FadingLet's Settle It: This Is How Often You Should Actually Be Washing Your HairIf You Wash Your Face With This Temperature Of Water, You're Doing More Harm Than Good

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