One of the first things you realized about domestic life in Japan was that everything you knew about laundry had suddenly changed. In Japan, the washing machines are much smaller, and use only cold water. To really blow your mind….Japanese people do not generally separate colors. Maye the first few times, but after that it all goes in the soup.
The basic problem is clothes get clearer in hotter water. Decreasing the wash temperature hampers your cleaning and stain removal power. Since hot is not an option in Japan, you must overcome the cold.
Since you might not be familiar with cold water washing, Japan Info Swap give you a quick overview here. It includes some specific recommendations. Happy washing!
Washing Clothes in Cold Water!
Japan Info Swap has been set up by the H&R Group as part of its relocation service, to assist expats in Japan by providing useful and easily accessible information to enhance daily living. Visit theirblog, sign up for their newsletter, or download their free e-book about living in Japan.