While it's true that clothes are generally not as greasy or dirty as dishes, using detergent when washing them serves several important purposes:
Removing stains and dirt: Clothes can still accumulate stains and dirt from various sources, such as food spills, mud, sweat, and environmental pollutants. Detergents contain surfactants that help break down and remove these stains effectively.
Breaking down oils and grease: While clothes might not be as greasy as dishes, they can still pick up body oils and other residues. Detergents are designed to emulsify and break down oils, making it easier for water to wash them away.
Disinfection and odor removal: Detergents often have additional ingredients that help disinfect and remove unpleasant odors from clothes, especially important for items like gym clothes or those exposed to bacteria.
Enhancing water's cleaning power: While hot water can be more effective in some cases, detergent helps to enhance the cleaning power of water, regardless of whether it's hot or cold. The surfactants in the detergent lower the surface tension of the water, allowing it to penetrate fabrics more effectively and lift away dirt and grime.
Softening hard water: In areas with hard water (water that contains high mineral content), detergents can help soften the water, preventing mineral deposits from building up on clothes and ensuring better cleaning results.
Using hot water alone might be effective for some less soiled and non-greasy clothes, but for a thorough and effective clean, using detergent is still highly recommended. Detergents are formulated to work with both hot and cold water, so you can achieve excellent cleaning results even with lower temperatures. Additionally, using detergent ensures that your clothes remain fresh, bright, and free from bacteria and other contaminants.