Am I the only one?

I wash at 60 if I possibly can, they come out cleaner and I do not have to use biological or souped up (with extra chemicals) detergents. I use a French soap based detergent that does not bring me, or my DDiL up in a rash.

I think whatever energy is used up heating the water to 60 is balanced by all the extra chemicals and processing needed to get washing hygienically clean at those low temperatures.

Nonnie
You ask 'Why does my DiL turn everything inside out before washing?' I think it will so there is less wear to the clothes. A friend of mind did this and said her clothes lasted longer so I will sometimes do this with tops.

60 for me. I've reverted to loose powder rather than the more convenient pods once I read some adverse 'planet' reports on them.

Daisymae
Only my tea towels and towels plus a dose of descale with detergent go in at 40. Sheets, pillow cases which are poly cotton mixture and I change every seven days through out the year go on ' economy' plus descale. How ever jeans, socks, non wool items always on 30 plus descale.
Machine always smells fresh and have put this down to regular use of descale.

I usually use a 50c wash on most stuff,
Occasionally, 40, and sheets and towels also on 50c.

Very rarely use 60c. And 30 c on woollens or delicates.

60 degrees for bedding and towels. 40 degrees for everything else. I heard somewhere years ago that bacteria wasn't killed off at less than 60 degrees, whether it's right I don't know.

I'm pondering who would have five lots of bedding.

We have, and probably more (They never seem to wear out!). The set on the bed at the moment is about 18 - 20 years old - M&S cotton.

Who are the "they" which have found that washing everything at 60 or 95 degrees "makes a huge difference to hygiene"?
I don't know, Eloethan, but I once put a cashmere cardigan in at 50C by mistake

Mingers everything as a boil wash just in case x

Salsa queen - we are polar opposites I think!

But I do admire your diligent housewifery, I'm sure my husband would rather me be a it more like you!

I must be good in other ways...not sure what they are though

Everything at 40 and after reading GG54 post might try 30. I am not dirty, my bedding in not dirty and towels are washed usually after every 3 days. Never had a problem and I only use non bio washing powder. in fact in some countries the wash has been in cold water.

I chuck everything into the washing machine and press the button - always seems ok to me, except that I have got a pair of pink underpants now!

Millie22, can I just say that I have 5 sets of bedding ( and its 5 sets for 3 beds, all beds different sizes!)

I've just got it as well!!!

Llamedos13

Mingers everything as a boil wash just in case x
The trouble is that clothes could shrink.

Well, that is a good excuse anyway, when they don't fit.

I did send quite a lot of perfectly good bedding to the charity shop so perhaps I don't have five sets for each bed any longer.

5+

I wash at 40deg and add a capful of disinfectant.

I found if I washed towels at 40c, after a few washes when I used them a couple of times they smelt really badly (bacteria). Back up to 60c no problems.

Och I'm obviously a minger! Not bothered though.

Always wash towels and tea towels, kitchen cloths at 60C - anyhow, it is much better for the machine to have a hot wash regularly to clear soap residue and kill any germs.

Sheets at 50C- and everything else at 30C.

I too use 60degrees for tea towels, dishcloths and bedding.Everything else gets a 30degree wash. I find if i dont use 60on tea towels and dishcloths they come out with stains on them and i use Persil or Aerial bio powder. I find this helps to keep the machine clean and smelling fresh too. I always use a branded powder and conditioner as i like my washing to smell clean as well as look it.

I wash most things at 30 degrees. A quick wash, biological liquid, and line drying, if weather permits. Towels and tea towels get a hotter wash.

My mother used to wash everything by hand. No biological powder or liquid. Nothing smelled horrible or felt unclean. We all survived and for the last ten years or so I have managed to keep us all clean (and alive and well) by washing clothes at a cooler temperature.

Everything at 40 unless delicate and then 30. I use bio so no need for 60 as far as I know