Washing Temperatures

Washing Temperatures

Hot Water (usually around 120F)

Hot water comes directly from your water heater, mixed with no cold water. NEVER wash protein-stained items (urine, grass, blood) in hot water. It will bake in the stain, and youll never get it out. Items that you should wash in hot water:

Whites C towels, underwear, cloth diapers

Bed Clothes C hot water will kill bacteria and mites

Washable Bath & Kitchen Rugs C check the label, but hot water is usually required to kill kitchen and bathroom bacteria

Bathrobes

Pet bedding to kill fleas and mites

Washing items in hot water will usually shrink and fade them. Keep this in mind when you are purchasing towels, underwear, and bedding.

Warm Water (usually 95 - 105F)

Warm water mixes water from your water heater with cold water - usually half and half or just a little more hot water than cold. Items that you should wash in warm water:

Light colored clothing

Synthetic fabrics

Wrinkle-free pants and shirts

Blue jeans

Washing items in warm water is gentler on fabrics than cold, but you can still experience some shrinking and fading.

Cold water (usually around 75 - 85F)

Cold water brings the water directly from your water source with no hot water from the water heater. In colder climates, this can mean a very cold wash in the winter, and you should probably use liquid detergents during that time do avoid powders not completely dissolving. Items that you should wash in cold water:

Dark colors, so they wont fade

Washable silk and suede

Fragile lingerie and delicates

T-shirts that will definitely shrink (not undershirts)