Cold water is perfect for washing delicate items such as lingerie and hosiery.
Warm water works well for lightly soiled clothes and synthetic fabrics.
Hot water is usually only needed for items that are heavily soiled or stained.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Here’s awashing machine temperature guidebased on fabric types.
The high temperature is highly effective for removing dirt and bacteria.
However, hot water tends to make some fabricsshrink,wrinkle, and colorsfade.
The Spruce
Always checkcare labelrecommendations beforeusing hot water.
It’s the best option for dark or brightly colored clothing that can run or fade at higher temperatures.
Always use a heavy-duty, enzyme-based liquid laundry detergent formulated for cold water.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Tip
Washing in cold water is an environmentally friendly choice that uses less energy.
These directions provide the best cleaning method to maintain the longevity of the fabric.
The fiber content and how the fabric is manufactured make a huge difference in choosing a washing temperature.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Sortby color, fabric key in, and level of soil.
By sorting correctly, selecting the best water temperature is much easier.
It is the safest water temperature to prevent damage to fabrics.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
A cold water soak can be a lifesaver for certain types of stained fabrics.
A soak can be anywhere from a few minutes to overnight.
The tougher the stain, the longer the soak will need to be.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Some washing machines allow you to select a water temperature for the rinse cycle.
The wash cycle and water temperature selection are two different tweaks on a washer.
For lightly soiled clothing, cold water and anenzyme-based detergentwork well for colors and natural and synthetic fabrics.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Heavily soiled clothes require warmer water temperatures.
Bed sheets absorb lots of body oils and soil.
Use a heavy-duty detergent and warm water for microfiber and bamboo sheets and hot water for cotton sheets.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
