I never realized there was so much science behind laundry
I've been washing our clothes in cold water for probably 5 years now and have never noticed a difference. Some of the kids clothes don't get as clean but they wear them out before they grow out of them so I don't worry too much. DH's work clothes I'll sometimes wash in warm water if they are really dirty but usually I just use cold for everything. I find that the clothes last longer.
I also try not to use my dryer too much - I aim for one load a week at least to be hung up but it doesn't always work.