Washing in cold water vs 40 degrees - is there any difference?

[swm]

For some reason I always wash my nappies (and everything else) at 40 degrees, but was thinking - this isn't like it is hot and would get rid of any germs. Is there any benefit of washing at 40 degrees or should I just wash in cold. What does the extra warmth in the water do? Does it allow the dirt to release more easily or something?

[~*Rebecca*~]

Don;t they say sunlight is the best germ killer and stain remover.

I only wash in cold but that is all I have to my machine. Not sure on your answer but I wash in cold and never had any trouble

[mumtotwo]

I'm a cold wash person 99.9% of the time too. The other 0.1% is the 95 degree hot wash that I give my nappies every few months.

My mum washes in hot ALWAYS and you should see her power bill. I think she's crazy!!

[poppychicken]

I wash in hot at 65 degrees all the time because I feel more comfortable with the hygiene aspect. But I've got a solar hot water system and I live in a pretty sunny place, so not such a big deal financially or environmental-wise as it might be.

[Obsi]

I only ever wash in cold, unless prewashing fabric. our hot water is turned down to probably about 40-50 degrees anyway, so I can't do very hot washes anyway (without turning up the hot water system)

[johT]

why dont you just try cold and see if you notice any different?
i only occasionally wash my nappies warm...otherwise everything is cold

[Mytribe]

I do cold with everything but like Bec, I'll do a hot wash every couple of weeks.

[mum2miya]

I always wash with cold and line dry and our nappies are clean

Dnna

[Rachael]

Before my washing machine was fixed I washed in cold but found they still had a smell to them but now that it is fixed I wash in warm and they dont smell. But i only wash nappies in warm, all the rest of the washing gets done in cold.

[lindys]

It is an interesting q! I always wash at 40 degrees too...but lately I have had a prob with my microfibre nappies being a bit stinky (despite pre and post rinsing, and line drying in full sun). I washed them at 60 degrees one day and the problem was fixed. Made me realise that the 40 degree was perhaps a waste of time...I should just do a cold wash! (and 60 degree washes at regular intervals to keep everything fresh).