Step 4 of 10 · Laundry That Doesn't Shrink or Stink
When to use cold, warm, and hot
When to use cold, warm, and hot — step 4 of 10 in Laundry That Doesn't Shrink or Stink. Cold (below 30°C / 85°F): use for darks, brights, anything that might bleed or shrink, synthetic athletic wear, and delicates.
Free cleaning & laundry tip: When to use cold, warm, and hot (step 4 of 10 from "Laundry That Doesn't Shrink or Stink").
Cold (below 30°C / 85°F): use for darks, brights, anything that might bleed or shrink, synthetic athletic wear, and delicates. Cold is the default. It saves energy and protects fibers. Modern detergents work well at cold temperatures — the old 'hot water cleans better' advice assumed 1970s soap.
Warm (40°C / 105°F): use for permanent-press fabrics, moderately soiled everyday clothes, and poly-cotton blends. Warm loosens body oil better than cold without the shrink risk of hot. Hot (60°C+ / 140°F+): use for white cotton towels, bed sheets, underwear, cloth diapers, and anything that needs sanitizing. Hot shrinks cotton and fades dyes — only use it when the label says it's safe.
Pro tip: If someone in the house is sick, wash their bedding and towels on hot (60°C+) to kill bacteria and viruses. This is one of the few times hot is non-negotiable.
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