Cold Wash Cycles Better for Clothes, Study Finds
A recent study funded by Procter & Gamble has found that using colder and shorter wash cycles is better for clothes. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Leeds and published in the journal Dyes & Pigments, aimed to investigate the effects of washing on fabrics.
The researchers used dozens of t-shirts from a specific UK activewear seller to test different wash temperatures and cycle lengths. They found that using cold water and shorter cycles reduced microfiber shedding and dye transfer.
Microfibers are tiny fibers released by fabrics during washing, which can contribute to pollution in the environment. The study also measured how much dye changed from darker colors to lighter ones, which leads to greying t-shirts and dimming of colors on bright prints.