Switch to 30 degrees

Read the labels in the George clothing ranges from the middle of this month and you'll notice that some* recommend a 30-degree wash rather than the usual 40 degrees. Paul Wright, George's Head of Technical and Quality, explains.

Why has George changed the recommended washing temperature for its products?

We felt this was something we could do to make a positive impact on the environment. It's a small change, but one that can have a significant effect. The Energy Saving Trust (www.est.org.uk) says that washing at 30 degrees instead of at a higher temperature uses around 40 per cent less electricity, so it's better for the environment and reduces bills.

Will the lower temperature affect the clothes in any way?

No, we test each garment rigorously in line with retail industry standards, to ensure it will last. In fact, using a cooler temperature may help to keep your clothes looking new for longer.

But will my clothes still get clean at 30 degrees?

We believe that today's washing detergents and hi-tech washing machines mean that a 30-degree wash does the job.

Will all George clothing products be included?

All products that currently advise you to machine wash at 40 degrees, except schoolwear, babywear and underwear, will carry instructions for washing at 30 degrees and any George clothes you currently own can also be washed this way. However, items that require special washing conditions will continue to be labelled in this way (see below for washing symbol guide).

Can I still wash the clothes at 40 degrees if I want to?

Yes. George clothing products will still be washable at 40 degrees - we're just encouraging our customers to adopt this new energy-efficient method.

When will this change happen?

New care labels were be introduced in mid-April. Our aim is for all George products to be labelled in this way by the end of 2007.

Will other retailers be following Asda's example?

We hope so - we'll be encouraging others to follow our lead.