Choosing the Water Temperature is in the Laundry Basics series here at Mama’s Laundry Talk.
If you were never taught the proper way to wash laundry or if you just need a refresher, this series is for you!
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The next topic in our Laundry Basics series is choosing the best water temperature for your load of laundry.
Using the right water temperature can have a huge effect on the outcome of your clothes.
Keep in mind that the three factors involved in getting laundry clean are:
-
- agitation in the wash cycle
- detergent
- water temperature.
How clean your clothes are depends on each of these three aspects.
So how do you know which water temperature is best for which items of clothes?
The hotter the water, the better the cleaning potential.
Now I didn’t say it was the most energy-efficient, but it will give your clothes the best wash.
The goal is to choose the hottest water that the fabric can withstand without fading, shrinking, or being damaged in some way (like sequins falling off).
Hot(ter) water definitely has its pros:
- it sanitizes and kills germs better
- it dissolves detergents more efficiently
- kills dust mites
- helps remove built-up grime so clothes look brighter and less dingy
And Hot Water has its cons as well:
- it can cause shrinking and fading in some fabrics
- it can set in some types of stains, especially blood and other protein-based stains
- it can make clothes look older
- it’s expensive
All of that said, how then do you choose the water temperature for each load?
This is a great little guide, assuming that the fabric and dyes are appropriate and the fibers are strong enough to withstand washing.
Use cool water for:
– Items washed on the delicate cycle, such as pantyhose, lingerie, washable silk, wools.
– Items with a delicate construction, such as an antique fabric, or a lacy fabric
– Any item that you think is going to bleed or the dye will run
– Items that have a protein stain, such as a blood stain, dairy-based stains or bodily fluids
– Items that aren’t exceptionally dirty – those that are just lightly soiled
Use warm water for:
– Dark colors
– Items washed on permanent-press (synthetic materials, etc)
– Items that are moderately soiled
Use hot water for:
– Bath Towels, sheets, and all other bedding
– Kitchen Towels, dish rags, pot holders
– Heavily soiled items (sweaty work-out clothes, etc)
– Items of sturdy fabric, such as white cotton t-shirts or underwear
– All cloth diapers
– Cleaning rags and cloths
– Any item that is stained with grease or oils
What about Cold Water?
Honestly, I don’t know the last time I washed a garment in cold water. I believe it is best used for the rinse cycle.
I am admittedly a little biased, since I have a whole houseful of mess-makers and they can get clothes dirty. Cold water would never do the job here in the Hill House.
Keep in mind that ‘cold’ water is considered 75 degrees or below. And that, my friends, is some chilly water.
I don’t think it can be effective in dissolving detergent and laundry boosters and getting clothes adequately clean.
If you do choose to use cold water in the wash cycle, make sure to use an ample amount of detergent and to use a longer wash cycle. By increasing the other two parts of the washing triangle, you might can skimp by with cold water.
If you insist on using cold water, or you don’t have a choice but to use cold only, make sure you choose a laundry detergent created specifically for cold water.
All Water Temperatures are Not Created Equal
Be aware that all water temperatures are not the same, depending upon what kind of washer you’re using.
A ‘warm’ water setting on a top-loader and on a front-loader are not going to be apples and apples.
A top-loader uses water from your home’s hot water heater. So if your hot water heater maxes out at 120 degrees, then that is the hottest your water in your top-loader will get.
If you have a front-loader, it probably has its own built-in water heater and the maximum temperature it reaches is set by the manufacturer.
Interestingly enough, manufacturers typically do not disclose the gallons of water their machines use or the temperature settings the machine defaults to.
So there is no data readily available on what the temperature settings are on the newest model washing machines.
I find that fascinating that they don’t readily disclose that information. I personally prefer to be an informed shopper and appreciate transparency in consumer products. 😉
A Few Notes About Water Temperature
There are several detergents on the market formulated specifically for Cold Water. And yes, I am sure they do a better job in cold water than your average detergent. However, all detergents are enhanced by warmer water.
I know there are many of you out there who won’t wash in anything but cold water for money saving reasons. If this works for you, then by all means continue washing your laundry as you have been!
As I’ve said many times before: Mama’s laundry ways are not the only ways! If you’ve found something that works for your laundry routine, than stick with it.
No doubt, there is a huge cost savings for washing in cool/cold water most of the time. Do what is best for your family!
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Make sure you don’t miss the entire Laundry Basics Series!
- How to Wash Clothes Step by Step
- Laundry Basics: How to Sort Clothes
- Laundry Basics: How to Choose the Washing Cycle
- Laundry Basics: Choosing Water Temperature – you are here!
- Laundry Basics: Determining the Size of the Load and Starting the Washer
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Laundry Basics: How to Choose the Washing Cycle
Thanks for the info. My mom always taught me to wash darks/blacks in cold so they don’t fade fast. Anyone do that also??? Everything else in your article I pretty much do already.
Linda, about the darks: If they are pretty soiled and dirty I wash them on warm. If they are just the average type of dirty, I wash them on cool.
It’s definitely true: cooler water will prevent fading in several types of dyes and fabrics. Your mama was right!!
-Lauren
I was also taught to wash the darks in Cold water.
I was hoping you’d do a post on water temperature! I washed everything in cold water up until very recently when I realized that my laundry just wasn’t getting clean. I was “playing it safe” with cold water, hoping to avoid shrinkage, fading, and setting in of stains. More recently, though, I have started washing almost everything in warm water. Only if there is a never-been-washed garment that I think might bleed do I use cold water. I have to ask, though, if something is washed in cold water the very first time it is laundered and then in warm water the next, could the color still bleed? Or, does the first washing–even if in cold water–take care of future bleeding issues?? Also, at what temperature does a stain become set in? Is warm water safe for clothing with protein-based stains?
Thanks for sharing your laundry know-how! I am loving your blog!
Angela
Angela, thanks for your encouraging words!
I think your experience is pretty typical with washing clothes consistently in cold water (although I am certain there are many that will disagree with me!). I’m sure you’ve seen a difference once you’ve gone through several weeks of washing on warm. Warm water just naturally gets clothes cleaner.
As far as the dyes bleeding, oh yes they can definitely bleed after being washed many times! I would try a Shout Color Catcher. Those little things work like magic (and no, I have no affiliation with them – just a good product!). If you are worried about bleeding dyes, you can throw one of those in and feel more safe about it bleeding on your other clothes in the load.
I would not wash an item with a known stain on hot – I’d wash on warm and then hang dry to see if the stain came out. Depending on the stain, I’d treat and then wash again on warm. Hot water can potentially set it in. Unless it is grease or oil, which needs a warmer/hot wash to get the grease out (plus Dawn dish soap).
Warm water IS safe for protein-based stains, but I definitely wouldn’t use hot. Again, it would probably set it in. The key to protein based stains is putting cold water on them as quickly as you find them. The quicker you can get cold water on it, the easier it will be to remove.
Hope that helps! Thanks for being such a faithful reader! 😉
-Lauren
Hello,
Sorry to sound ignorant but what is a protein stain? It sounds like oil from a meat product to me. Would grease from fried chicken be considered a protein stain or a grease stain as one is supposed to be washed in hot and the other isn’t.
-Jon
Interesting!! Don’t think I’ve ever tried anything but hot…and I am sure this is why my dark clothes don’t stay that way long. Thanks for the info!
(WFMW)
Thanks for stopping by from WFMW, Becki! Glad it was helpful info for you!
-Lauren
Hi, I LOVE your site and so glad that I came across it. My mom always did our laundry growing up, and never showed me the correct (so to speak) way of doing it. 🙂 So here I am 36 and wondering if I am actually doing it “right”. Good to know that there isn’t an exact way to do it, that people do do a few things different and to find what works best for me. I noticed in your sorting page you mentioned reds with other darks, but in one of your pics you have all your reds together in the washer. My mother in law washes her reds/browns together. My husband says we can wash the reds with the darks now cause there is no more bleading. Just curious if you really do wash all your reds seperate. Thanks again or all your great info!!
Do I wash all of my reds together? Usually, no. I know that those specific items are color-fast and won’t bleed so I tend to wash them with other darks…but those items that are really dark. I don’t wash reds or deep purples with light clothes, because they can pick up those dark hues and look old.
If I happen to have a mountain of clothes to wash, I’ll separate out the reds and purples and blacks if they’ll make a full load.
Found this informative posting while searching for laundry/color running tips. Just bought Jersey Knit sheets to match a new comforter – Jersey sheets are RED! I know, right? Have Jersey sheets in medium-dark purple also. Fortunately, I played it safe, washed them separately and only have one pair of “newly lilac” undies that I used as a “tester”. LOL. I’m assuming the Red Jersey sheets will bleed/run badly. Question is, does color-bleeding stop after a few washes? Or will it always bleed, just not as badly as the first wash? I’ll do whatever’s necessary to protect my clothes and things, but certainly don’t want to have to wash Red sheets, Purple sheets and other problem-items separately forever. Any thoughts or prior experiences to share? Thank you – Wendy
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I will learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Thanks for the info and link to the WFMW website! We have had questions about very dirty clothes from our customers. Farmers that are in feedlots and working around animals and in mud and dirt have extra dirty clothing and nothing I have seen addresses this kind of laundry (I know the majority of the population doesn’t have this situation.) She says she soaks, and has tried several different things and still not the best results. What suggestions do you have?
Thanks!
Virginia
Oh… I was trying to research for a science project. This wasn’t what I was looking for but it’s very helpful anyway. I always just throw everything in!
Thank you for speaking out about hot water getting clothes cleaner. It seems to be a very unpopular view; politically incorrect, if you will. My machine actually boils, which works wonders on white sheets, towels and all cotton bath mats. Ever since college in the 70s, the propaganda has been “cold is just as good”, but decades of experience say that just ain’t so.
Can you remove an old stain in a cotton shirt? It has been washed several times already.
I do not know what caused the stain. It is faint but I wondered if I could get it totally out?
Hi! 53 years old male and suddenly single, I have a lot to figure out. My ex did all the cooking and laundry sorting (I did the laundry though 🙂 which wasn’t the best way of learning about life .
Just wondering, when you say cool, warm and hot, what temperatures are you talking about? The washing machines in the building I live now only show temperatures in degrees (Celsius).
And is it OK to put 30 & 40 celsius degree t-shirts together? Or should I was them separately? SO much to learn suddenly, feels like I am on survival camp!
Thanks!
André
Most studies I have researched say that cold water is best for washing clothes. These are actually studies done and I am not sure how the writer justifies this article
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for your comment.
I think it depends on what is considered “best.” Using cold water extends the life of clothes and fabrics, so yes, in that sense cold water is best.
However, clothes and fabrics that are soiled need the added element of warm or hot water to adequately get them clean. So in this example, cold water is not best. Only warm or hot will adequately do the job of getting clothes to be clean.
Hi Bobby,
When I use hot water on bath towels they shrink, pucker up around the bottom binding and where they have the decorative inserted band.
You know the band about 3-4 inches before the bottoms.
Do you or others have this problem?
How best to correct?
Thank you so much for this blog on Water Temperatures- I was putting towels, wash clothes,
Socks in washer and thought- maybe I should use hot
Water on these? Have always used Cold water to do
Laundry because of cost! I just did towels on hot water and from now on will be using Warm Water
For my laundry!!!!! I never get suds and did not know
Why- it is the cold water!!! Got lots of suds using
The Hot Water— Thank You so Much
63 yrs old and just learning how to do laundry!!’
SAD
Hey Terry! I’m so glad you got great results! No, I don’t think it’s sad at all. I think it’s great! Being a life-long learner is a wonderful thing. 😉
Lauren