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Energy efficiency dilemma: The reasons behind our reluctance to clean energy-saving appliances

The 30-degree dilemma: Resistance to conserving energy through laundry with reduced temperatures

Bucking the Trend: The Thirty-Degree Perspective - Why Germans Struggle to Embrace Energy-Efficient Washing

  • by Wiebke Tomescheit
      • 3 Min

Challenging energy efficiency: The reasons behind our reluctance to perform energy-saving laundry practices - Energy efficiency dilemma: The reasons behind our reluctance to clean energy-saving appliances

Check out the Video: A Guide to Washing Machine Faux Pas - Expert Insights.Time and again, we hear it - reading it, watching it on ads: Laundry should be washed at thirty degrees these days. Everyone claims and promises: It works. It's simple. No downsides, just endless benefits.

And we, the Germans? We nod, agree, then return home to persist with washing at forty degrees. Or if you're part of the older crowd, sixty degrees. And if you're exceedingly old, you may still believe that there's no convincing reason for anything less than ninety degrees and handwashing.

Germans' Reluctance to Wash at Thirty Degrees

Perhaps it's because we're uninformed about the substantial impact that a mere ten degrees can have on the environment. Each household that consistently washes its forty-degree laundry at thirty saves 38 percent of its previous energy costs for washing. Instead of paying roughly twenty cents in electricity for each load, you pay only twelve cents.

Over the past two years, Germans have decreased their average washing temperature from 43.2 to 42.2 degrees. That one degree reduction, albeit modest, has led to savings of 115,000 tons of CO2 emissions. If all the approximately 40 million households with a washing machine washed their everyday laundry at thirty degrees, Germany could avoid 570,000 tons of emissions.

Ten Degrees Make a Substantial Impact

The WWF and the company Procter & Gamble, makers of detergent like Ariel, have made it their mission to demonstrate that forty degrees is not always necessary: In several major cities, they took over coin-operated laundries, provided customers with their own detergent - and set the machines to thirty degrees. "Cold Wash Salon" was the name of the initiative. At first, many customers appeared skeptical, but eventually, they nodded - this time, relieved and possibly even approving. Everything was clean.

Oftentimes, it's not the concern that lower temperatures won't remove stains that keeps Germans from dropping the heat. Usually, you'd pre-treat stains at forty degrees with things like laundry soap or stain spray. Instead, it's the fear of invisible threats - odors, bacteria, viruses, mold.

Modern Detergents Can Rise to the Challenge

Gabriele Hässig, who focuses on sustainability at Procter & Gamble, assures us that, while you should indeed wash items that truly come into contact with dirt, like cleaning rags or maybe bedding, at sixty degrees, everyday items like t-shirts, pants, and sweaters - there's no need. The bacteria you imagine in your mind need dirt to thrive. But thirty degrees and modern detergents effectively wash away that dirt completely.

This is confirmed by numerous other European countries where thirty degrees has long supplanted the traditional forty. Italy, Spain, and the UK lead the charge, with the Netherlands and France following closely behind. And everywhere, they have clean laundry. Only Germany wavers and drags its feet. Why is that?

Are We Discussing Laundry Routines Enough?

Selina Sinning, responsible for behavioral research at WWF, states, "We don't talk enough about laundry." Most information about washing clothes is passed down from our parents and has not been questioned since. Habits deeply ingrained over years or decades are hard to break.

Moreover, many people are unaware of the remarkable advances detergent technology has undergone. Everything clean at thirty degrees - "that wouldn't have been possible twenty years ago," says Gabriele Hässig. Today's powders, pods, and other products contain not only known tensides but also special enzymes and polymers that need not require high temperatures. This applies to all common products, emphasizes Hässig.

Clothes Last Longer

Another advantage to turning down the temperature to thirty degrees: The clothing is washed much more gently, surviving significantly longer. Those who don't have to replace clothes as frequently not only save resources and protect the environment, but also save money. And can enjoy their favorite sweater for much longer than they might otherwise.

  • Laundry
  • Environment
  • GermanyThere are several reasons why Germans might continue to wash their laundry at higher temperatures, such as forty degrees Celsius or more, despite the environmental benefits and advancements in laundry detergent technology:
  • Historical Habits: Like many cultures, Germans may cling to traditional laundry practices due to habit and familiarity. Higher temperatures were once necessary for effective cleaning, especially before the modern detergent advancements[1].
  • Perceived Hygiene: Some people believe that higher temperatures are more effective at removing tough stains and ensuring cleanliness. This perception might be influenced by the effectiveness of older detergents that required higher temperatures to perform optimally[3].
  • Hard Water Issues: In regions with hard water, higher temperatures can help improve the effectiveness of detergents by helping to reduce the impact of minerals in the water[4]. Germany, much like other European countries, has areas with hard water, which may necessitate warmer wash cycles.
  • Detergent Compatibility: Although modern detergents are designed to work well at lower temperatures, some formulations might still be more effective at slightly higher temperatures. This could sway consumer behavior, especially if they notice better cleaning results with warmer water.
  • Consumer Awareness: Environmental benefits and energy efficiency might not be as widely recognized or prioritized among the general public. Without strong awareness campaigns, many consumers might not feel compelled to switch to colder wash cycles.
  • Fabric Preferences: Some fabrics, prone to harboring bacteria or odors, might benefit from warmer wash temperatures. This could be a factor in personal preference for cleanliness and hygiene over energy efficiency.

Despite these factors, there is a burgeoning trend towards more sustainable laundry practices, driven by environmental concerns and technological advancements. Encouraging education and awareness about the benefits of lower-temperature washing could help shift consumer behavior towards more energy-efficient practices.

  • In an effort to reduce environmental impact, some countries have adopted using thirty degrees for laundry instead of the traditional forty, resulting in significant energy savings. This movement, however, has not gained widespread traction in Germany.
  • Modern environmental-science research shows that with advancements in the field of science and technology, including special enzymes and polymers in modern detergents, washing at thirty degrees can be just as effective in removing stains and ensuring cleanliness as washing at higher temperatures.
  • If Germany were to follow the trend and shift to washing at thirty degrees for everyday items like t-shirts and pants, substantial reductions in carbon emissions could be achieved. This shift could also have positive impacts on fashion-and-beauty practices, home-and-garden lifestyle decisions, and community policy surrounding climate-change and energy-efficiency.
Non-profit think tank CSCP's Rosa Strube, Procter & Gamble's Gabriele Haessig, and WWF's Viviane Raddatz gather at the 'Cold Wash Salon' event in Berlin.

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