Medical Expert Reveals How Washing Temperatures Impact Health and Bills
As energy prices continue to climb following the Middle East conflict, households are seeking ways to reduce consumption without compromising on hygiene. Appearing on BBC Morning Live, Dr Xand van Tulleken delivered crucial advice about washing machine temperatures that affects both health protection and financial savings.
The Temperature Spectrum: From Germ Elimination to Cost Reduction
Dr Xand explained the practical implications of different washing settings. "Hottest your washing machine will go is 90 degrees usually, and that will kill everything," he stated. "It's almost boiling it, it's bad for the clothes, it's very expensive. Whatever's happened to those clothes, I think you've got to get new clothes at that point."
For households dealing with infections like norovirus, he recommended: "Sixty degrees, certain bugs will be killed and that can be quite good. So if you've got an infection going around your house, particularly think of something like norovirus, put it up at 60. Along with the mechanical cleaning and the detergent, that's quite good."
The 40-Degree Dilemma and Cooler Alternatives
The medical expert expressed skepticism about the commonly used 40-degree setting. "Personally, I don't see the point in 40 degrees, because it's too hot to be cheap and it's too cold to kill anything. Commit to one of the other; either go hot or go cold."
He highlighted significant savings available through cooler washes: "Thirty degrees, that gets the job done, it is much cheaper. So going from 40 to 30 saves you almost 40% in energy costs. It's quicker; make sure you get a lower temperature detergent."
For his personal approach, Dr Xand revealed: "And then 20 degrees; I've got to say I'm a 20 degrees guy for everything except my workout clothes, which go in hotter. 20 degrees saves 62% of your money compared to 40, so that is a big deal."
Consumer Guidance and NHS Recommendations
Consumer group Which? supports Dr Xand's perspective on germ elimination. According to their research, 60C remains the most frequently used setting and effectively removes germs when combined with quality detergent. "Ideally, you need to be washing items at 60C with a good quality detergent to effectively remove germs and other nasties," they advise.
The NHS provides specific guidance for infection prevention: "You should wash underwear, towels and household linen at 60°C to prevent the spread of germs, or at 40°C with a bleach-based laundry product." The health service makes no recommendation for washing at 90°C to kill bacteria.
Maintenance Considerations for Cooler Washes
Dr Xand cautioned that lower temperature washing requires additional machine maintenance. "But at the lower temperatures, you've got to think about cleaning your machine. One is that the tray that you put out—the detergent tray where all the mould grows—that can be a real nuisance to clean. I put it in the dishwasher."
He continued with practical cleaning advice: "And then mechanical cleaning of the drum. Just a cloth, some vinegar—wiping is really good. And if your machine has a cleaning cycle which runs at a high temperature, do that according to the manufacturer's instructions. And then air it out."
Balancing Health Protection with Energy Savings
The expert guidance presents households with clear choices based on their specific needs. For infection control during outbreaks like norovirus, 60°C provides effective germ elimination. For routine washing of lightly soiled items, 20°C or 30°C offers substantial energy savings without compromising cleanliness.
As energy prices remain elevated despite ceasefire agreements in conflict zones, these temperature adjustments represent practical measures that households can implement immediately. The combination of health protection and financial savings makes informed laundry temperature choices more valuable than ever for British households navigating current economic pressures.
