You’ve received your new promotional t-shirts or office outfits and want to give them a good clean, should you pop them in a warm water wash or cold water wash? Surprisingly, warm water is falling out of favour when it comes to keeping your daily wearable clean. Learn more about why you should be washing cold and how best to protect your new promotional clothing below.
- Wash promotional clothing in cold water.
- Transition smoothly from warm to cold water.
- Cold-water washing benefits environment, clothes.
Cold-Water Washing for Branded Clothes
We’ve told you that it’s important to wash new promotional clothing before you wear it, but now it’s also important to cold water wash your clothes too? Well, yes. While a warm wash is a good idea to get rid of any bacteria the first time you give your promotional clothing a clean, for all other washes it’s not all that necessary to wash them in anything but basic cold water (unless, of course, a label specifies otherwise). So why is this?
- Washing in warm water doesn’t make your clothes much cleaner. Unless you have extremely smelly clothes, cold water is perfectly adequate for removing your usual dirt build up.
- Low temperatures are more gentle on colours than warm temperatures, so you can help prolong the life of your colourful customised shirts with a nice cold wash.
- It uses more energy to wash in warm water, so if you’re keen to minimise your power usage and save on your electricity bills then opt for a cold water wash instead.
Transitioning Water Washing Temperatures
It’s surprisingly simple to phase out warm water washing on most cycles, but here are a couple of tips to make things move smoothly for you and your logo branded clothing;
- Pick up some washing liquid to replace your powdery detergent — washing liquid dissolves more easily in cold water, and it means you won’t find any powdery residue on your clothes.
- Ensure your machine isn’t overloaded, your custom clothing needs room to move around and actually get the most out of the wash cycle.
- Still put on a warm load of washing from time-to-time for those extra stinky items, or items that need special washing care. There’s no shame in the odd warm wash, but the cool washes are more cost-effective and better for the environment so keep this in mind!
Environmental Benefits: Cold-Water Washing
Besides taking care of your promotional clothing, transitioning to cold-water washing brings significant environmental benefits to your laundry routine.
- Energy Conservation: Cold-water washing consumes less energy compared to warm or hot water washes. Since heating water accounts for a substantial portion of energy usage in washing machines, switching to cold water helps reduce your carbon footprint. By making this eco-friendly choice, you contribute to conserving energy resources and minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
- Lower Carbon Emissions: As warm water washes require more electricity to heat the water, they result in higher carbon emissions. Opting for cold water washes reduces your household’s carbon footprint, supporting your commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- Protecting Natural Resources: By using cold water for laundry, you help conserve precious natural resources like water. Warm water washes consume more water compared to cold water, which can strain local water sources and ecosystems.
- Preserving Water Quality: Using warm water can lead to the release of detergents and chemicals into waterways, potentially harming aquatic life. Cold water washes minimise this risk, keeping water bodies cleaner and healthier for the environment.
Final Thoughts
In summary, when it comes to washing your promotional clothing, opting for a cold water wash is the way to go. Not only does it effectively clean your garments, but it also brings environmental benefits by conserving energy, reducing carbon emissions, and protecting precious natural resources. By making a simple transition from warm to cold water washing and following the provided tips, you can keep your logo-branded clothing in great condition while doing your part for a cleaner and greener future. So, go ahead and give your promotional clothing a cold water wash – it’s a win-win for you and the environment!
Details first spotted here: http://mentalfloss.com/article/552667/why-you-should-stop-washing-your-clothes-warm-water
