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UK scientists have identified the best washing machine setting to maintain the freshness of your clothes for an extended period.
In a study conducted in collaboration with Procter & Gamble, unsurprisingly, the University of Leeds suggests using the coldest, quickest wash cycle.
The detergent manufacturer partnered with design school lecturer Lucy Cotton on a study investigating how machine washing leads to fabrics shedding microfibres. According to Popular Mechanics, these lost fibres can accelerate garment ageing and weaken fabrics.
Dozens of t-shirts of various colours and materials were washed and then assessed for colour and microfibre loss.
It appears that the colder and quicker the cycle, the less damage is inflicted. The ideal setting appears to be a cold, 30-minute wash, according to the Daily Star.
Compared to a standard 40°C cotton cycle, which lasts roughly 85 minutes, a 30-minute cold cycle preserved colours better, minimised dye bleeding onto other fabrics, and reduced the number of tiny microfibres released into the wash water.
To eliminate any residual fluff, the scientists initially ran the washing machines without any laundry.
They then washed the mixed t-shirts and collected every bit of wash water, evaporated it, and weighed the residue to measure microfibres.
To monitor colour damage and dye bleed, they introduced white ‘receiver’ fabrics to each load and assessed the amount of colour transferred during various cycles.
The trend was unmistakable: increased heat and duration resulted in more fading, more colour transfer, and more fibre loss – regardless of whether the shirts were made of cotton or polyester blends.
And the shedding doesn’t cease after a few washes: even following the eighth and 16th washes, substantial amounts of microfibres were still being released.
The study, spearheaded by researcher Cotton and published in the peer-reviewed journal Dyes and Pigments, received funding from P&G – a firm that markets cold-water detergents – but the tests and results underwent review for publication.
