When it comes to your washing machine, there are so many settings to choose from, it is hard to know which one is the best to use. The temperature of your water does indeed make a difference in washing, and it’s important to know why. Here’s when to use hot, warm, or cold water on your clothes.
When to Use Hot Water
Hot water is going to give you the most thorough clean. However, using hot water on delicate fabrics is not a good idea. Since hot temperatures can shrink certain clothing items, you’ll want to avoid it on anything that requires a delicate cycle. Check your labels before washing. Hot water is best on towels, heavily soiled clothes, or cloth diapers. When you need to kill germs, sanitize, or thoroughly wash something, use the hottest water setting on your machine.
When to Use Warm Water
Warm water is best for washing man-made fibers, knits, and jeans. Almost all your clothes can be washed with warm water unless the label says otherwise. So, a good rule of thumb is when in doubt, use warm water. It’s very unlikely that warm water would cause any issues for normal clothing items.
When to Use Cold Water
If you’re worried about fading the colors of certain clothing, use cold water. Coldwater washing is best for bright or dark colors, delicate fabrics, or homemade items. But it should be noted that when you use cold water in your washer, you’ll need more detergent. So, look for cold water-specific detergents or use a pre-soak cycle first. If your clothes are heavily soiled and you’re using cold water, you may need to use two cycles or add an extra half cap of detergent.
Remember to keep Express Appliance Repair in mind for all your washing machine, or any other appliance needs. Give us a call today!