For Longer-Lasting Clothes, Science Says Use This Wash Cycle

 This time and temperature keeps fabrics strong and prevents premature aging.



Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:

Procter & Gamble funded a study of wash cycle length that found colder and shorter is better for clothes.
Fabric dye density and lifespan is separate from issues like germs and bacteria in the wash.
Cold, short washes reduced shed microfibers and transferred dyes.
Scientists from the University of Leeds—and, it should be mentioned, Procter & Gamble—say the best way to keep clothes looking fresh for as long as possible is to use the coldest, shortest wash cycle.

The detergent manufacturer joined with lead author and design school instructor Lucy Cotton (yes) on a study of the way machine washing causes fabrics to spray microfibers. These lost fibers can cause premature garment aging and weaken fabrics.

In the published paper, researchers used dozens of t-shirts from a specific U.K. activewear seller representing a handful of brands like Gildan, Russell, and Hanes. Scientists ran washing machines empty at first to ensure no ridealong microfibers were inside, then collected water from the entire cycle to make sure all newly released microfibers were captured.

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