A new survey reveals that most people wash their clothes with long cycles and hot water, following old habits. The problem is that this practice is not necessary for cleaning, but it is excellent for lining the pockets of the textile and detergent industries. They have been selling the hypocrisy for decades that more product and more heat equals hygiene, when in reality it only increases the bill and harms the environment.
Labels that lie and algorithms that waste 🧺
Current technology allows washing with cold water and low-impact concentrated detergents, performing equally or better. However, smart washing machines come with default programs that prioritize energy expenditure. Clothing labels use cryptic symbols that no one understands, and manufacturers' apps do not offer a clear real consumption meter. The solution lies in forcing companies to show the cost per cycle and for governments to fund educational campaigns, not just tips about using 30 degrees.
The existential dilemma of the clean sock 🧦
It turns out that for years we have been slaves to a myth: that if you don't wash at 60 degrees, germs will declare war on you. Meanwhile, big brands are rubbing their hands together selling soap pods that promise nuclear whiteness. Perhaps the most revolutionary thing is to listen to our grandmothers: a little soap, cold water, and hanging in the sun. But of course, that doesn't sell 800-euro washing machines or detergents with French perfume names.