That headline is a common clickbait claim. It’s usually referring to washing clothes at 30°C.The idea is:
- Many households still wash most loads at 40°C.
- Washing at 30°C often cleans everyday laundry just as well with modern detergents.
- Lower temperatures use significantly less electricity because most of a washing machine’s energy goes toward heating the water.
- This can reduce energy bills and is gentler on many fabrics, helping clothes last longer.
However, 30°C isn’t right for every load. You should still use higher temperatures for:
- Towels and bed linen if someone is ill.
- Heavily soiled items.
- Cloth nappies or items requiring sanitisation (follow the care label).
For most everyday clothing that’s only lightly or moderately dirty, 30°C is a good energy-saving choice without noticeably affecting cleaning performance.
