ERT Weekly has reported that Indesit, working with Proctor & Gamble, are set to launch front loading washing machines that can wash with cool water below 30C which is effectively a cold wash.
This is not a new idea, it has been done in Asia and other parts of the world where access to running hot water is not freely available for many years but it has not been done before on a front loading washing machine because of certain issues, primarily with bacteria build up leading to smelly washing washing machines among other things.
Indesit’s marketing director, James Goldsmith promises that, “You can take water straight into the machine and wash at less than 30 degrees”.
He adds, “What this delivers is a 50% energy saving versus that of a 30 degree wash”.
Trouble is that, as field service engineers we daily come across issues surrounding the constant use of low temperature washes and we remain entirely unconvinced that washing below 40C actually cleans anything properly.
Currently there are plans to introduce this new cool wash feature to three Hotpoint washing machines and further plans to roll it out across other Indesit and Hotpoint washing machines in the future. Of course this will be accompanied by the obligatory marketing campaign telling everyone how good this is but, as they say, the proof is in the pudding.
It is however striking that Indesit are seemingly championing these environmental benefits and yet still produce machines that are virtually throw-away after a few years. It is a pity that they do not also look into how long the appliances that they produce will remain in service for.
In a recent report by Which? both Indesit and Hotpoint washing machines were ranked among the worst for reliability.
As we said this is not a new idea, it has been this way in Asia and other regions for many years that clothes are washed in cold water. However, there are caveats to this way of doing things.
It has not been done in front loading washing machines as they are more efficient and clean better than toploaders which are primarily used where cold wash detergents are available. And, because the tub is not sealed on a top loading washing machine, the insides dry out better so you do not get the same build up of scum, bacteria and odour when washing laundry in cold water.
This is why we remain unconvinced that this is a good thing unless Proctor & Gamble have come up with some miraculous new detergent that can combat the downsides and still clean clothing properly.
However, no doubt, many will fall for the advertising strapline and the lure of seemingly getting something for nothing.