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Do you put white clothes in hot or cold water


4 Easy Steps for Washing White Clothes & Keeping Them White

4 Easy Steps for Washing White Clothes & Keeping Them White

Written by Grove Collaborative

Last Updated: April 6, 2021

A crisp white jacket or dress shirt is a showstopper. That is, if it's actually white. Easier said than done, right? With our step-by-step guide, your white clothes will be bright and clean once again.

There are plenty of reasons why white clothes are so striking. Beyond the fashion and color coordination, sporting a clean, white garment impresses simply because it’s white. White clothes are hard to keep white though. Too often, we reach for that white shirt only to find stains, yellowing, and other disappointing discolorations.

If your white clothes have slowly moved further and further into the back of your wardrobe, fear not. We’re here to help brighten up your whites, and make them worth showcasing once again.

Should you bleach white clothes to keep them white?

No! In fact, most experts recommend avoiding old-fashioned bleach on your white laundry. Chlorine bleach strips away valuable dyes, reacts poorly with detergent, and may lead to yellowing instead of whitening.

There are plenty of safe bleach alternatives we do recommend though, including chlorine-free bleach, stain-releasing detergent, stain-removers, and laundry boosters.

What's bleach alternative, you ask? Grove experts explain why non-chlorine bleach is safer and how it works (even on color clothes).

How can I get my white clothes white again?

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get your white clothes bright again. These range from spot treatments to deep-cleaning power washes. Here are some techniques for bringing out — and keeping — the white in your clothes.


Step 1: Spot-treat stains ASAP

It’s always best to treat stains as soon as they happen. Apply a stain remover and water to a new stain, and rub the mixture in with your fingers. This will clear the stain before it sets, but you should still wash your garment fully when you get a chance.


Step 2: Pre-treat yellowing or discoloration

For old, set-in stains, pre-treating with a stain remover, chlorine-free bleach, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide will prep a stain for removal in the wash. Apply one of these formulas to old stains and discoloration alike.


Step 3: Include a laundry booster

If your regular laundry detergent doesn’t seem to be cleaning your whites to your satisfaction, try adding a laundry booster to your load. Laundry boosters are safe cleaning agents that can help disperse tough stains and discoloration. Common laundry boosters include baking soda, borax, distilled white vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.


Step 4: Treat your water

Depending on your climate and water system, you may be washing with “hard” or “soft” water. Both can hamper the cleaning process of white clothes. Some boosters, such as borax, can help balance your water, leading to a more effective clean all around.

Find these eco-friendly laundry products from Grove

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What is the best way to wash white clothes?

With all the pre-reading and pre-treating finished, we can get down to proper washing.


Washing regular white clothes: A step-by-step guide

When we say “regular” whites, we’re talking about shirts, pants, jackets, sweaters, and any other day-to-day clothes. (We’ll get to towels, sheets, socks, and delicates later.)

Here are some basic steps to washing white clothes:


Washing white towels, sheets, and socks

Towels, sheets, and socks can generally handle higher heat than most regular clothes. You’ll still want to check their care tags to be safe. Otherwise, wash these items as you would your regular white clothes. A hot-water wash is ideal for these items, since it’ll kill bacteria and odors.


Washing delicate whites

Delicate whites require a bit more TLC than the rest of the bunch. For one, check your care tag to see if your delicates must be hand washed. If you can machine wash them, you should stick to a cool- or cold-water gentle cycle. If your delicates have buttons, hooks, or straps, use a mesh laundry bag to protect them from snags and other damage.

Drying white clothes is an often-overlooked, but crucial, part of ensuring a bright final product. Over-drying can actually cause stubborn stains and yellowing, and that’s the last thing you want after all that hard work washing them.


How to dry white clothes

The best way to dry your white clothes is to hang them in the sun. The sun’s ultraviolet light will help brighten and whiten your white garments. If that’s a no-go for you, machine drying is a reliable backup. Here are some easy steps for machine drying white clothes to get the most out of your dryer.

Machine drying regular white clothes: A step-by-step guide

Step 1: Mind the heat

When machine drying white clothes, it's important to use low-heat and delicate settings. High heat can cause stains and dirt to discolor even more. Excessive heat can even scorch your whites.

Step 2: Avoid overdrying

Set your dry cycle for a lower amount of time than usual. Remove your whites before they are completely dry. Removing them while they’re still slightly damp helps to prevent excessive over-drying and the resulting stubborn stains and discoloration.

Step 3: Finish with some air drying

To finish the drying process, hang-, air-, or flat-dry your white clothes. This gentle finish helps prevent any final discoloration, and it saves some energy too.

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By Tara King

published

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. 

Can I wash white and colored clothes together in cold water?

QUESTION: I have a mountain of clothes to wash in the washing machine. About 25% are white and 75% are colored. I need save time and wash all clothes together . Most of the clothes for my kids. I have a full-time job and a baby. I don't have time to unpack my clothes. If I wash all my clothes in COLD water , will the other colors bleed into the white clothes? I have a top loading Kenmore washing machine which works great but the tub is not that big. I'm just trying to save time. Any tips or tricks are welcome.

Can I wash white and colored clothes together?

ANSWER: It is not recommended to wash white with colored clothes if you want your white clothes to remain white. Washing in cold water will not fade the color of the clothes, as in hot water. Color rendering can still occur when using cold water only, so it's better to separate colors and whites.


If you have NO CHOICE but to wash ALL THE CLOTHES TOGETHER (colours and whites):
You can try to wash white and colored clothes in the washing machine in COLD water AT THE SAME TIME IF the colored clothes are outdated and the dye that colors them has faded. Colored clothes should be washed many times before washing white clothes. Set the washing machine to the shortest wash cycle and the coldest water setting. Do not use excess detergent. When washing white clothes, make sure colored clothes are not new. Excess color must be washed off new clothes. This usually requires 3 to 4 washes. Use a product called SHOUT COLOR CATCHER.

How to Wash White and Dark Together

Important Notes About Washing Colors and Whites Together

Shout Color Catcher absorbs and traps spilled dyes to keep colors vibrant. Shout Color Catcher is specially designed to work like a sponge. It absorbs and traps loose dyes in the wash, locking them in securely so they can't re-deposit on other clothes. Shout Color Catcher keeps clothes bright and new, wash after wash. You can mix colors in one download. Saves you time and money.

Shout Color Catcher - erase white and dark together

Scream Catcher Colors:
Allows you to mix light, medium and bright colors (green, khaki, blue and black).
Retains vibrant colors and brightens whites.
Works well with all fabrics, temperatures and all laundry detergents.

For your washing reference, here is a table with recommendations for loading the washing machine.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how to wash all clothes together to reduce color fading? Please leave a comment below.

Why washing is harmful. And what to do with it


Natalia Shirokova

How many times a week do you run your washing machine? Many of us do this 3-5 times a week, and some do it every day. What could be simpler - I threw my things, filled the powder and went about my business. And then he took out clothes with "frosty freshness."

But here's a fact few people know: Laundry accounts for more than 75% of the environmental damage that clothes cause in their entire life cycle, from fabric production to disposal. By washing, we harm both clothes and the planet - and ultimately ourselves.

Here are some facts from the Zero Waste Wardrobe book that will make you think.


Zero Waste Wardrobe

Washing ruins clothes

Drumming, bleaching, drying age clothes. The fibers lose color, become thinner, deform, things lose their shape and shrink - and now we are ready to take them to the landfill. As a result, millions of things are sent to the scrap prematurely.

We waste water and energy

Laundry requires a lot of resources. In a typical household, it accounts for up to 20% of household water consumption. Washing machines are energy intensive, with 90% of this energy is spent on water heating.

We're polluting the environment with chemicals

Washing powders and conditioners are full of ominous names for chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), whose effects on nature are just as scary. These chemicals are washed into bodies of water along with sewage and linger in clothing, which means they come into contact with the skin.

Dry cleaning is toxic

Traditional dry cleaning has a significant impact on the environment, and at the same time damages clothes. Most often, perchlorethylene (PERC) is used for it, which is dangerous for nature, and therefore threatens human health.

What to do?

Of course, walking around in dirty clothes is not an option. Laundry is required. You just need to treat it a little more consciously - and know that this is not the only way to care for clothes. Here's what you can do to reduce the harm.

Wash less often

There is nothing easier than stretching the intervals between machine washes. The benefits are obvious: the less often you wash, the more time and money you save. Plus, you use less energy, water and environmentally friendly detergents. And by washing your clothes less often, you reduce their overall wear and tear. So, we can say that both you and your clothes come out dry.

Remove stains safely

There is nothing more annoying than putting a stain on brand new or freshly laundered clothes. Instead of starting a full wash, just treat the stained surface with a stain remover. Your sweater will get back up and running much faster, without wasting water, energy or detergents.

Food or blood stains are the most common. They must be washed off immediately with cold water and detergent, since hot water will fix the contamination. But oily stains - say, from hand cream and eggs - are best treated with a special agent, and then washed off with hot water. Finally, traces of liquids and food should not be rubbed - they must be blotted, blotted and blotted (gently!). And if you intend to immediately throw the soiled clothes into the washing machine, take your time and pre-treat the stain.

Let nature take care of stains

Common stains and odors can be removed with the simplest and cheapest natural ingredients your kitchen is likely to have. Baking soda, white wine vinegar, mineral water, and lemon juice are good stain removers.

Here's how to make your own stain remover.

  1. Mix 1 part baking soda to 3 parts water.
  2. Take an old toothbrush or nail brush, soak it in the solution, rub the stain gently, and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Place the item in an empty bucket and pour hot water over the top. Make sure that the temperature is not higher than that recommended for this type of fabric.
  4. Leave to soak for approximately 1 hour or 30 minutes for delicate fabrics.
  5. Machine wash normally.

For delicate fabrics, you will need a test: apply the product to the edge of the soil, look at the reaction, and only then pounce on the entire stain.

If the means are powerless and the soiled clothes are white or light, try hanging them outside on a clear day. Let the sun do all the work for you.

Ventilate instead of washing

Air is free, so use it to your health! Many things with a slight smell of socks or the aromas of nightly gatherings can be refreshed with ordinary airing. Hang your clothes anywhere where air circulates - outside, on a balcony, or next to an open window. This is the simplest way of care, it does not require any costs, and for the environment - no harm.


The good old method still works. — Source

Refresh clothes

If ventilation doesn't get rid of the smell, try to neutralize it by spraying lightly with fabric freshener. Just think about which one to choose: many sprays are laden with chemicals like sodium phosphate, which can irritate your skin and you don't want to inhale. Instead, look for safer, non-toxic products or do it yourself - it's a matter of two minutes.

Refreshing Spray Recipe: Take 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 cups of warm water (preferably filtered) and add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil. Shake the mixture in a spray bottle.

Brush

If the garment is generally clean but there is lint, dust or hair stuck to the surface, use a reusable lint roller instead of tearing through the fibers with the wash. Or invest in a quality clothes brush that cleans coats, jackets and trousers equally well. A little effort is enough to remove surface dirt and restore shine to clothes. This method will surely appeal to those who have fluffy pets in their house.

Shower with delicates

If the clothes you put away for hand washing are piling up inexorably, why not take delicate fabrics into the shower with you? This way you save time, energy and water. Most shampoos, except those containing a creamy conditioner, will work just as well on lace underwear as they do on your hair. But don't waste resources - neither water nor energy. Washing clothes in the shower is not a reason to hang out there for a long time.


Read the labels for instructions on how to wash, dry and iron your clothes to keep them fresh and spotlessly clean

Think before you load

Compliance with the recommended laundry weight is the main condition for excellent results. Many machines use the same amount of water and energy for all cycles, regardless of how full the drum is, so a small load is extremely wasteful. As a general rule, most machines should run at full capacity to make the most efficient use of energy and water. However, some high-tech models can automatically adjust the consumption of water and electricity depending on the amount of laundry. Read in the instructions what is the ideal capacity of your car. Avoid overloading or underloading.

Measure your detergent correctly

Much depends on the amount of detergent. Today there are a lot of detergents containing dangerous chemical compounds like phenols, optical brighteners and bleaches, so the question of their use is far from being idle. Choose eco-friendly products that are not loaded with toxic chemicals.

Always measure the recommended amount: if you increase the dose of powder, the clothes will not become cleaner, but the machine will clog.


This is Lauren Singer, a litter-free lifestyle advocate. She became famous for accumulating just one jar of waste in 12 months and founding The Simply Co., which removes deadly chemicals from detergents.

Alternatively, you can ditch laundry detergent altogether and try soap nuts, the fruit of a tree that grows in the Himalayas. Put them in the drum in a small bag. One serving of nuts is enough for four to five washings, then they need to be replaced. This is a great option for allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin.

Don't overuse fabric softeners

We add fabric softeners in the wash to keep clothes fresh, pleasant to the touch and static free. But like all detergents, except for a few products with natural ingredients, conditioners are made from a toxic cocktail of chemicals.

Try to eliminate these products from your wash completely, or if you really need softness, use eco-friendly products. A spoonful of baking soda or white wine vinegar is great at softening the fabric - don't worry, you won't smell. And to remove static electricity, dry your clothes on a line. If you want to add fragrance without resorting to toxic chemicals, dilute a few drops of essential oil in a little water and pour it into the air conditioner compartment of your washing machine.

Be aware of the temperature

Many of us are used to washing at 40°C or more. But at the same time, our money is washed down the drain, as we spend it on heating water, not to mention the increased risk of damage to clothes.

Learn more