If you scanned the QR code on the laundry machines in your dorm, here's something easy you can do to help the environment!
Chill for Change: Wash Cold
**Washing your laundry in cold water reduces energy consumption of a laundry machine by 90%**
More Reasons to Wash in Cold:
1. It's better for your clothes
Warm/hot water causes the colors of your clothes to fade faster. Your garments will stay bright and intact for longer if you wash in cold water.
2. Prevents staining
If you wash your clothes in cold water, it is less likely that the colors will blend together.
3. The NFL endorses it.
The NFL has pledged to do all of their laundry in cold water. They are partnering with Tide, who is committing to 3 in 4 washes being in cold by 2030, to #TurntoCold. Those football jerseys are pretty heavy duty, and those grass stains are intense -- if cold water works on those, it can work on anything! For those of you who are football fans, this seems like a pretty great reason. Check out the details of their pledge here. If you're not a football fan... there's plenty of other reasons to wash cold.
Plus: if you're feeling hopeless about the state of the environment, and powerless to do anything about it? This is an easy way to help do your part to combat the climate crisis. The Earth will thank you!
Allow us to debunk some common misconceptions:
1. Hot water cleans better.
There is ample evidence to suggest this is false.* Modern detergents are equipped to work equally well in cold water and warm water. Check out this podcast to learn how one brand is doing it -- and learn more valuable laundry facts.
2. Cold water won't remove stains as well
This is untrue. With the correct detergent, cold water can remove stains like blood or makeup just as effectively as warm water.
3. Warm water is better for delicates.
It's not true that warm water is gentler for items such as underwear. In fact, warm and hot water will cause these fabrics to deteriorate faster. If you want your clothes to last longer, you should wash in cold water.
**It is true that hot water kills germs best. If you've been sick, we recommend washing your sheets and clothes in warm/hot water.
Bonus: Check out Malcolm Gladwell's Podcast Revisionist History's episode on washing in cold here.
Have any questions? Contact Caroline Speidel at pmp3mj@virginia.edu