Washing machine ‘sweet spot’ for longer-lasting clothes found by science

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Compared to a standard 40°C cotton cycle lasting roughly 85 minutes, a 30-minute cold cycle resulted in brighter colours, less dye bleeding onto other fabrics, and fewer microfibres released into the wash water, reports the Daily Star.

To ensure accuracy, the scientists ran the washing machines empty initially to eliminate any residual fluff. They then washed the mixed t-shirts, collected all the wash water, evaporated it, and weighed the residue to measure the microfibres.

To monitor colour damage and dye bleed, white ‘receiver’ fabrics were added to each load to observe the amount of colour transferred during various cycles.

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/2145201/laundry-sweet-spot-longer-lasting-clothes-30-minute-cold-wash