OK, here's the pitch: here in Germany all washing machines have heating rods which heat the washwater to temperatures from 20 to 95=B0 C (=3D 70-200=B0 F), with most of the washing done at 30 or 60=B0 C (90-140=B0=
F). The other day I heard a radio feature that most modern detergents work well already at 20=B0 C (i. e. normal room temperature), that the notion that only hot washes were thorough was antiquated, and so much so that in many parts of the world, such as Australia or the US, washing machines wouldn't even possess heating rods at all, and just used water at tap temperature. So is that the truth, Ruth? I'd specifically like to hear from Yanks and Ozzies, thanks.