The Right Temperature to Wash (Almost) Every Type of Fabric, According to Experts

The stakes can feel high when you are faced with choosing what temperature to wash your clothes—and with reason. Maintaining a garment's structure and the vibrancy of its hues often requires some special attention, and this often includes specific water temperature settings.

"Fabric construction, dyes, and method of dye application all determine when lower temperatures become necessary," says laundry expert Mary Gagliardi. To unlock the mystery behind what temperature to wash your clothes, scroll on to learn from the experts.

The Golden Rule of What Temperature to Wash Clothes

When deciding what temperature to wash a particular garment, adhere to its label's care instructions. “Follow care instructions and wash items with high soil levels in the warmest water recommended,” advises fabric care professional Wendy Saladyga.

When shrinkage is a concern, you need to balance cleaning needs with the potential for shrinkage. Air-drying clothing washed in warm or hot water is Gagliardi’s preferred way to deal with this.

What to Wash in Cold Water

Cold water is guaranteed to be the least detrimental to any fabrics, so you'll definitely want to choose this setting (or hand-wash temperature).

The following is a list of garments and fabrics that are best left to the cold cycle. But since warmer water can cause fabrics to shrink and tends to fade colors, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you're ever worried about shrinking a garment or fading a favorite colored piece, cold water is most oftentimes the way to go.

• Machine-washable wool (like sweaters, blankets, and scarves): "This reduces the chance of wool felting and permanent shrinkage," explains Gagliardi.
• Silk: Not only must these items be washed in cold water, but the delicate or hand-wash cycle should be selected “to protect silk fibers, which are weaker when wet,” says Gagliardi.
• Dark or brightly colored cottons and cotton blends (i.e. denim, sweatshirts, t-shirts and slacks): “Dark fabrics can release small amounts of dye when washing, especially when using warmer temperatures,” says Saladyga. “Washing darks separately in cold water ensures the dye stays within the fabric and protects the brightness of your dark clothes.”
• Bras, slips, and lingerie: "Delicate items should usually be washed in cold water to help preserve dimensional stability," says Gagliardi. "Use a lingerie bag, too," she adds.
• Swimsuits, leotards, and tights: “Performance fabrics can lose their shape and elasticity,” cautions detergent and laundry product expert Tom Ceconi, so warmer water is to be avoided here.
• Table linens: To preserve the integrity of the fabric, cold water is preferred for tablecloths and linen napkins.
• Fabric with blood and grass stains: Cold water should be used to wash out certain stains, included blood and grass stains. Typically, you should avoid using hot water to wash out stains as it could cause them to set.
  

What to Wash in Warm Water

Warm water can be your go-to for most fabrics and garments, short of items needing to be washed on delicate cycles.

According to Ceconi, “Warm water is the sweet spot that allows detergents to work most effectively, particularly enzyme detergent.”

The following is a list of garments and fabrics that are best washed in warm water.

• Bamboo and linen bedding: These items can be most thoroughly and effectively treated by washing them in warm water.
• Whites: “For everyday white garments, warm water is sufficient for effective cleaning to maintain the garment’s integrity and keep whites white,” says Saladyga. For optimal stain removal and to maintain the brightness of white clothing, you can consider using an enzyme-based detergent or washing them in hot water (if the garment's care label permits).
• Light or pastel colors: According to Gagliardi, these may be less prone to fading and can often handle a warmer wash. “They also show the dirt more, so cleaning with warm water helps maintain their appearance,” she notes.
• Polyester fleece (like pajamas, jackets, and sweatpants): To keep the colors bright, wash this fabric in cold water. Most are “less prone to fading in warmer wash temperatures,” states Gagliardi. 
• Dress shirts: Typically,, these types of garments should be washed in cold water. However, Gagiardi makes this exception: “If cold water is recommended on the care label and you aren’t satisfied with the cleaning, try warm water, which is typically safe for cotton and cotton-polyester blends.”

What to Wash in Hot Water

According to Ceconi, “Hot water is harder on the fabric, but it does a better job of brightening lights and whites.” Hot water is also typically preferred for deodorizing and disinfecting.

Our experts say the following garments and fabrics are headed for the hot water. 

• Bath towels: Towels see a lot of action and are repeatedly exposed to moisture and bacteria that can leave behind a musty look and smell. Of course, take care of color bleeds if your towels are brightly colored.
• Sheets and pillowcases: “These items absorb not just water but also dead skin cells and body soil and need hot water to get really clean,” explains Gagliardi.
• Baby clothing: Because it is often soiled with body fluids, baby clothing is best washed in hot water, according to Ceconi.
• Kitchen towels: Your kitchen towels are often dirtier than you think, says Gagliardi. After pre-treating any stains, they are best thoroughly washed in hot water for disinfecting.
• Underwear: “Underwear can contain bodily fluids and benefits from selecting hot water for better cleaning,” advises Gagliardi.
• Socks: These items spend a lot of time in our shoes and, as a result, tend to retain persistent odor. Hot water combined with detergent will eradicate the odor and disinfect your socks thoroughly.