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Best temp to wash whites


Why Do We Wash Whites in Warm Water and Brights in Cold?

Experts break down the fundamental laundry practice of washing white garments in warm water and colorful items in cold water.

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By Caroline Biggs June 24, 2021

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Make no mistake about it: The correct water temperature is crucial to your laundry. "Water temperature determines the strength of the cleaning process, and selecting the appropriate water temperature for a particular fabric is essential to minimizing damage over time," Gwen Whiting, the co-founder of The Laundress, explains. "The correct water temperature ensures a more effective cleaning and can reduce the chance of color bleeding, warping, or damage to the fabric. " While most fabrics composed of densely woven fibers (like cotton and linen) can typically be washed in warm water without the risk of shrinking or fading, lifestyle and laundry expert Cheryl Nelson, the founder of Prepare with Cher, says that it's smartest to use cool water when in doubt. "Not only can cold water minimize the chance of damage, but it requires less energy, so it's great for the environment and saving money," she explains.

Interested in learning more about why we wash white items in warm water and brightly colored fabrics in cold? Laundry experts share their insight ahead.

clothes spinning around in washer machine

Credit: Getty / Werayuth Tessrimuang / EyeEm

Warmer water leaves whites brighter, but proceed with caution.

While the common trope is to wash all white clothing in hot water, this isn't always the best course of action. Unfortunately, certain fibers can shrink and weaken in hot (above 130 degrees Fahrenheit) water, but won't get a deep, thorough cleaning in anything considered too cold (between 60 to 80 degrees). The trick? "Wash white linens in lukewarm water, which generally falls between 90 to 110 degrees," Nelson explains. Lindsey Boyd, co-founder of The Laundress, affirms this, adding that warm water is typically recommended because it can effectively lift the accumulation of dirt, body oils, and stains while minimizing the risk of shrinkage. "Both hot and warm water may cause certain fabrics to fade or shrink," she notes. "However, hot water shrinks items to their maximum shrinkage capacity after one wash, whereas warm water will shrink them more gradually over multiple washes."

To ensure your white clothes get a deep, thorough clean in warm water, Nelson recommends washing them on the gentle cycle of your washing machine with similarly hued fabrics. "Don't wash them with colorful fabrics or else the colors may bleed," she warns. "And don't put too many items in the washing machine, as this can cause the fabric to twist or pull."

We wash bright fabrics in cool water to prevent color transfer.

Since colorful fabrics are made with dyes that can fade, bleed, or transfer in hot and warm water, Whiting says bright and dark-hued items (as well as ones composed of delicate fabrics such as cashmere, silk, or wool) should always be washed in cold water (go warmer, and dye transfer becomes more likely). "If you have stains on colorful fabric, you can pretreat the item as you would with white linens," she explains. To give these garments a deep cleaning, Nelson recommends washing them on the gentle cycle with as much cold water as possible so they can move around freely in the machine. "To keep the longevity of your vibrant colors, it also helps to turn your bright linens inside out before washing," she adds.

When in doubt, use cool water.

To avoid accidentally washing your beloved garments and bedding in the incorrect temperature, Whiting recommends setting your washing machine to use the cold water cycle for all loads. "This will minimize the risk of fabric damage," she explains. And if a white garment sneaks into a load of brights or vice versa, don't fret, says Boyd. "If you notice some dye transfer, you can soak the white linens in a basin or sink of hot water with two capfuls of a bleach alternative and wash as normal with hot water," she says.

Do you wash whites in hot or cold water? |

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By Tara King

last updated

Keeping whites white is something we all want to achieve with our laundry, but do you wash whites in hot or cold water in order to retain their original color?

As a general rule, higher temperatures are the most effective at removing dirt and stains, so if it’s bright whites you’re after, hot water is a good bet. However, that doesn’t mean you go straight in for the hottest cycle setting – there are other things to consider, too.  

While your laundry room ideas will create a space that’s stylish and functional, washing savvy is also a prerequisite to keep fabrics looking and feeling as good as new so here we’ve put together a guide to the temperature that’s right for washing whites.

Do you wash whites in hot or cold water?

‘What temperature you decide to wash your whites should be dictated by several things; mainly the material they’re made of – whether white or not, certain fabrics do not do well in heat – as well as the level and type of stain they’ve suffered,’ say the cleaning experts at Essential Living .   

Washing standard white loads in hot water every time isn’t the most eco-friendly decision – or the most cost-effective, for that matter. With that in mind, it’s worth taking a little time to understand the best heat setting for your needs – for your sake, your clothes, and the environment, too. This is the lowdown.

Start by reading the garment care label

Regardless of how stained your whites are, it’s important to check out the laundry symbols on the garment’s care label and stick to the recommended water temperature and washing cycle.  

‘Polyester blends are best washed using warm water, while cotton can tolerate hot water, for example’, says WeThrift ’s homes expert, Nick Drewe. Make a note of any specific instructions and alter the temperature setting on your washing machine accordingly.

When to wash whites in hot water 

Having hotter cycles (130ºF (50ºC) and above)  as your default washing machine setting is not necessary for your usual day-to-day laundering. Save on energy bills – and decrease your carbon footprint – by reserving them only for heavily stained items (assuming the fabric can take the heat). Consider making these washes shorter than usual to reduce your energy expenditure even further. 

High temperatures kill bacteria, so hot washes are always the best option if someone in the household is poorly, though.

When to wash whites in cold water

Cold water cycles (between 60 and 80ºF (15 and 30ºF) cause the least amount of damage to fabrics, so it’s a good idea to wash garments (white or not) you’re unsure about in cooler temperatures to avoid disappointment when you pull your clothes out of the drum. If you’re not satisfied with the results, you can always try a slightly warmer setting next time. 

‘Delicate whites always require a cool wash (no more than 80ºF (30ºC)) on a delicate or hand-wash cycle,’ says Sally Hughes, founder of luxury laundry care brand, Kair .

When washing whites in cooler temperatures, change your machine setting to a gentle wash and use a specially formulated cold-water detergent to ensure a deep, thorough clean.  

If you’re washing at cooler temperatures on a regular basis, it’s worth heeding this caution from Sophie Lane at Miele . ‘Washing at low temperatures for long periods of time can result in bacteria and odors building up in a washing machine,’ she says. ‘Over time, this buildup can cause whites to go gray and dull.’ To prevent this Sophie recommends cleaning a washing machine regularly.

How to wash whites in a washing machine 

Hot water cycles are often the default setting on our washing machines, with most people never bothering to change them. However, based on the above, it’s safe to say this is a mistake. For a standard white wash (ie lightly stained, nothing too set-in), take the time to check your garment care labels. Separate them based on the temperatures required and change your washing machine settings accordingly. 

‘I suggest using the warmest water recommended for the fabric – this will help lift dirt and grime which might otherwise dull fabric over time, while minimizing the risk of shrinkage’, says Sally Hughes. 

When a hot wash is required, such as for heavily stained items, Sally recommends changing the cycle setting. ‘Most modern machines will have setting options such as heavy duty or whitest whites which can be used depending on the severity of the staining,’ she says.

Pre-treat stains with the correct water temperature

Whether it’s coffee, red wine, chocolate or mud, white clothing does not take kindly to tough stains. Thankfully, practically any stain can be removed with a little extra TLC. Depending on what the stain is, different pretreatment strategies might be required, often involving different water temperatures, so it’s important to know what you’re dealing with. 

Pretreating tough stains with a specialized stain remover then washing according to the garment care label is fine, but there are exceptions. ‘Red wine, chocolate and coffee, for example, can set in further if washed in warm or hot temperatures, so it’s safer to presoak them in cold water first,’ say the cleaning experts at Essential Living.

Do whites have to be washed in hot water?

It’s long been assumed that washing whites in hot water is the only way to ensure bright whites – housekeepers used to boil garments and linens in big pots for hours to get the stains out. These days, that’s just not the case. While there’s a time and a place for hot water washes (more on that in a minute), improvements in washing machines and laundry detergents mean lukewarm water (between 90 and 110ºF (30 and 40ºC)) is perfectly adequate for regular, day-to-day white laundering.

Does washing whites in hot water make them whiter?

While it remains an efficient way of keeping whites bright, regularly washing clothes in hot water comes with its own set of problems – not only can it cause damage to your clothes, but it’s not great for your energy bills or the environment. 

Luckily, nowadays, washing whites in hot water isn’t the only way to keep them looking their best. Using a specially formulated cold-water detergent, combined with the right settings on your washing machine, means washing your whites in cooler temperatures can keep them looking fresh and bright. 

For 10 years, Tara King worked as a Content Editor in the magazine industry, before leaving to become freelance, covering interior design, wellbeing, craft and homemaking. As well as writing for Ideal Home, Style at Home, Country Homes & Interiors, Tara’s keen eye for styling combined with a passion for creating a happy – and functional – family home has led to a series of organization and cleaning features for H&G.  

How to wash white clothes in a washing machine

When washing any white clothes or underwear, you need to be extremely careful and understand the seriousness of the process. If you disrupt the washing process, then your favorite blouse or dress will lose its whiteness or simply shed. We will tell you how to wash white things properly.

Washing whites: preparation

Before we figure out how to wash whites, we will carry out a preparatory step with you. You probably know that before loading dirty clothes into a washing machine, it is imperative to sort the laundry into different piles. One is white, the other is black, and the third is colored. Do not wash white and colored clothes together, as things can be dyed and it is unlikely that they will be able to return to their former color. nine0003

Sorting step

Now you need to move on to the second sorting step in order to understand how to wash whites correctly. And again we will divide things into several piles: slightly soiled and with stains that are difficult to remove. The first stack is in the drum. But the pile with stains needs to get rid of them initially.

Soaking laundry

Stain removal is not always possible with CMA, which is why soak dirty laundry first. It is most effective to fill a container with warm water and add stain remover there, and then place the laundry with stains. Depending on the complexity of the problem, leave things for no more than 4 hours. After that, drain the water, rinse the laundry and send it to the washer. What else can I wash clothes to remove non-standard stains? Let's approach the problem in a non-standard way. You can use:

The list could be even longer, but when getting rid of difficult stains, you need to work outside the box. Has a large grease stain appeared on your favorite T-shirt, or sweat marks on the collar of your shirt? Do you want to know how to remove stains so that the thing does not deteriorate? Pour some dish detergent on the stain, launder thoroughly, leave for a while and rinse! What is the best way to wash white clothes? To give clothes a pleasant freshness, it is recommended to use high-quality expensive washing products from well-known manufacturers. nine0003

Let's start washing

Here we come to the main stage. Now you will learn how to wash whites in the washing machine. Once you've sorted through your whites, soaking them in stain remover and rinsing if necessary, move on to the next step. Not sure at what temperature to wash whites? The type of fabric is important here: cotton - 90 degrees, and preferably 60; silk and wool - 30 degrees. Always look at the clothes tag - it indicates the allowable temperature regime. When using a substance containing chlorine, you will be able to bleach yellowed things. Add special gels or tablets directly to the washing drum along with things. nine0003

Interesting! Often, many owners of washing machines wash clothes on a program designed to wash synthetic items.

You should be aware that you should not select the spin at maximum speed, as this can damage the fabric if you twist things too hard.

Note!

We suggest you take into account a few more recommendations that will come in handy more than once:

    0044 sew white linen in the sun because it has bleaching properties. It's great if you can dry your clothes on the balcony.
  1. It is recommended to turn bright things inside out as they will fade and lose their color in the sun.
  2. Before hanging white linen always check that the drying line is clean and free of dirt and rust.
  3. When the clothes are dry, take them off immediately and put them in the closet. nine0018
  4. Bed linen or towels must be carefully spread and shaken before hanging up.

Important! Try to dry your clothes outside to get the sun's rays on them. This will give the linen whiteness.

Such simple recommendations will help you no longer wonder how to wash white things, giving them a pleasant and neat look. May your clothes always be clean and snow-white!

How to wash white clothes in a washing machine 2Stiralki.ru

Date: 09/22/2015

It would seem, what could be easier than washing white clothes? Most often, we do this - we take white, put it in the drum of the washing machine, pour in the powder and turn on the synthetics washing program. Yes, the laundry is washed, but will it be snow-white? And how long will it stay white? Let's discuss how to wash white clothes so that they retain not only color, but also performance.

Preparing laundry for washing


Before you start washing clothes, you need to sort it - white in one pile, and colored in another pile. We put the colored linen aside, this time we don’t need it, the white linen will shed with it and we will have to return it to “life”. As for white linen, then here it is necessary to sort by type of fabric and acceptable washing temperature . Silk items and items made of delicate fabrics are washed separately, in the delicate wash mode.

Laundry sorting

Next, we proceed to the next stage of sorting - put laundry with light soiling into one pile, and place laundry with more serious and difficult stains into another pile. We can immediately send the first pile to the wash by selecting the appropriate program and pouring powder for white laundry into the machine. As for the stack of soiled laundry, here we will first need to get rid of difficult stains.

Soaking

Before washing whites in the washing machine, we will soak them and remove stains. The easiest way is to place the laundry in a bowl of warm water that has powder and bleach added (for example, Vanish, which is popular all over the world). If the stains are very serious, leave the laundry for 3-4 hours. After that, we drain the water, rinse things and send them to the washing machine. nine0003

Soaking Methods

Got some unusual stains that your laundry detergent can't handle? Then we will act on the stains with non-standard means:

  • Specialized stain removers;
  • Detergents for dishes;
  • Laundry soap;
  • A mixture of soda and hydrogen peroxide.

The list could go on and on, as difficult stains must be treated differently. For example, dishwashing detergents, originally designed to fight grease, are best at getting rid of grease stains. If you need to wash the collar and cuffs of your shirt from greasy marks that remain in contact with the body, then dishwashing gel will also come to the rescue. As for laundry soap, it can wash many types of stains, which we have already written about in our reviews. nine0003

Main wash

After soaking, we send the clothes to the washing machine. If desired, a stack of lightly soiled laundry can also be subjected to the soaking procedure - this will help make things more snow-white. In this case, soak with Vanish bleach. Subsequently, this bleach can be added to the washing powder during washing.

Which wash program to choose for whites


Once the soak is complete, it's time for the main wash. And here the most important question arises, and in what mode to wash white things? The answer is very simple - the choice of program depends on the type of fabric. If you have to wash things made of cotton, select the cotton wash program. nine0003

If all clothes are made of synthetics, feel free to choose a program for washing synthetic fabrics. As for unknown fabrics, the synthetics washing mode will also help here. If you are in doubt, you can use the mixed fabrics washing program, but not every machine has it.

It should be noted that the washing program for mixed fabrics is not much different from the washing program for synthetics. In modern washing machines, the abundance of programs is nothing more than a marketing ploy. Therefore, you can safely wash synthetics, semi-synthetics and mixed fabrics in the synthetic wash cycle, remembering to select the appropriate temperature and spin speed. nine0003

Do not spin too fast as it may damage some fabrics. In addition, the high-speed spin crumples the laundry and makes further smoothing difficult.

At what temperature to wash white clothes


We have already talked a little about the temperature of washing white clothes, but let's analyze this issue in more detail. And for starters, remember the rule that the maximum heating temperature should not exceed the lowest indicator indicated on the tags of the loaded items. That is, if there are items with a maximum washing temperature of +40 and +60 degrees in the sorted stack of laundry, the temperature should be set to +40 degrees. nine0003

As for cotton fabrics (without the addition of synthetic fibers), they can even withstand boiling. But in automatic washing machines, the upper temperature bar is limited to +90 or +95 degrees. If you need perfectly white laundry, feel free to set the maximum temperature to . Washing linen, on the contrary, requires a lower temperature, so choose it according to the type of fabric.

Today, more and more washing machines with flexibly adjustable washing parameters appear on the market. Here we can manually set any washing temperature and spin speed on any program. nine0003

Which powder and bleach to use


What is the best way to wash whites? In order to ensure a decent level of whiteness, you should use washing powders and bleaches from well-known brands.

Powders

Looking into any hardware store or supermarket, we will see a lot of washing powders of all stripes. For washing white linen, it is recommended to use powders from brands such as Tide, Ariel, DENI, AOS, Persil, BiMax. nine0044 Domestic powders Biolan and Myth give good results.

When choosing powders, make sure they are suitable for washing whites. Such powders often contain additional additives that whiten the laundry well and give it an excellent white color. As for cheap powders of dubious production, it is better not to spend your money on them.

Bleaches

If there is a need to give things extra whiteness (relevant for yellowing fabrics), special bleaches should be used. A typical inexpensive bleach is BOS plus. For a guaranteed positive result, use Vanish bleach. As for chlorine-based bleaches, their use threatens to damage fabrics - refrain from using them. nine0003

For washing children's white underwear, it is recommended to use products of the Eared Nyan trademark - under it, not only washing powders, but also bleaches are produced.

Drying whites

We recommend drying whites in full sun for best results.

Learn more