Dr Xand van Tulleken, a British TV doctor, has advised against using 40°C and 90°C settings on washing machines, claiming they are inefficient and costly. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, he explained that 90°C is 'bad for clothes' and 'very expensive', while 40°C is 'too hot to be cheap and too cold to kill anything'.
Instead, Dr Xand recommends 30°C as a cost-effective option, saving nearly 40% in energy costs compared to 40°C. For households dealing with infections like norovirus, he suggests 60°C, which kills certain bugs. He personally uses 20°C for most loads, except gym kit, which he says can reduce bills by 62%.
To maintain the machine at lower temperatures, Dr Xand advises cleaning the detergent tray in the dishwasher and wiping the drum weekly with white vinegar. Leaving the door ajar daily helps prevent mould.
Public reactions on Instagram were mixed. Some users praised cold washes, while others defended 40°C or 90°C for towels and bedding. One commenter noted, 'Bedding and towels 90 degrees now and then... Too much bacteria buildup with 30 degrees.'
