It’s important to clean your clothes in the most effective way possible without damaging the fabric. The water temperature you use for your laundry directly affects how clean your clothes are and how long they last.
There are plenty of questions people have when it comes to knowing which temperatures to use when doing laundry. What temperature should you wash towels on? Do you wash whites in hot or cold water? What temperature should you wash soiled clothes on? Explore our laundry temperature guide to ensure you have all the answers you need.
Setting the right temperature when washing your clothes is crucial to preserving their condition. Most articles of clothing have a care label sewn into the fabric to provide detailed instructions on how to best care for the material. Factors that influence the steps you’ll take to properly clean your garments include fabric type, detergent type and clothing condition. The guidelines accompanying clothes usually tell you to wash them at one of the three following temperatures:
Washing your whites in hot water is one of the best ways to effectively clean, sanitize and decontaminate your clothes. High temperatures can help to loosen and wash away many types of stains, debris and germs, ensuring your clothes are sanitized and spotless. However, this setting is best for white or light-colored pieces. On the wrong items, like delicate or dyed fabrics, hot water can cause shrinkage, fading and wrinkling.
If you’re not sure which washing temperature to use for a piece of clothing, make sure to check the item’s care tag beforehand.
Warm water is a good choice for effectively cleaning clothes without damaging the material. This temperature will work best for most loads, including lightly soiled cotton, synthetic blends, linen fabrics and manufactured fibers. Warm water makes it easier for detergents to dissolve and lessens the possibility of fading and shrinkage.
Cold temperatures are perfect for delicate items and any clothing with colors that may bleed or fade with higher temperatures. Cold water will never shrink your clothes and can be beneficial for a variety of clothing types including black clothing, bright-colored clothing, lingerie, swimwear and wool. It is usually the better option for removing protein-based stains such as dairy and beverage stains like soda, coffee, tea, wine and beer.
As a bonus, using cooler temperatures to wash your clothes will decrease your overall energy consumption and minimize your carbon footprint!
While Laundry Day isn’t your favorite on the calendar, it’s important to make sure your family has a consistent supply of clean clothes. Aside from selecting the right temperature, here are some favorite tips and tricks to streamline your laundry process:
Clothing labels generally provide specific washing instructions and should be your primary guide for determining whether you need to wash your clothes in hot or cold water. Following the clothing tag instructions can help you maintain the longevity and cleanliness of the fabric based on what’s best for that fabric type. You can also group your laundry loads according to their tag instructions.
Dealing with stains can be tough. The key to removing an unseemly smudge or spot is to treat it before it sets into the fabric. Start by removing all solids, then blot the spot with a damp towel using your choice of stain removal product. Vinegar is a great DIY option if you’re looking for a quick fix, especially when dealing with white fabrics. After washing, make sure the stain is removed before placing the item in the dryer, as heat will set any discoloration left behind after washing.
Preparing and sorting through your clothes before throwing them in the washer will save you lots of time, effort and headaches in the long run. You’ll want to remove pins and belts, empty pockets, secure fabric fasteners, and turn socks inside out. These little details will help you thoroughly clean your garments and minimize the risk of damage.
You may want to stuff your washer with all your clothes at once, but it’s actually more safe and efficient to separate your items. Sorting your laundry can help you reduce lint and color bleed by grouping similar items by time, texture and temperature:
It’s important to meet your users’ needs in any facility, whether in an academic or multi-housing setting. Our dedicated professionals at Caldwell & Gregory understand the importance of staying attentive and keeping users happy. That’s why we provide laundry solutions such as laundry equipment, the latest payment technology, preventative maintenance and quality management systems.
We take a consultative approach to laundry by meeting in person and providing knowledgeable options based on your facility, cleaning processes and resident needs. For quality laundry solutions you can trust, contact our laundry experts today!