by The Chief on January 11th, 2009
For lightly soiled clothing, cold water will likely do just fine.
Warm or hot water works better on heavily soiled clothing, in general.
There is some consideration to be given for the detergent as well...some powder detergent don't disolve very well in cold water.
Also a general comment about hot/warm water:
Colors will fade faster in hot/warm water. They also may bleed onto each other if you mix colors, resulting in color stained clothing. So, wash like color where possible. Hot/warm water washing will cause your clothing colors to fade quicker, making them look more heavily worn sooner.
Hot water may make some cotton clothing shrink somewhat, expecially if they were not "pre-shrunk" prior to manufacture. So if you have a snug pair of jeans and you wash them in hot water and then dry them in a hot dryer, they may be somewhat tighter, for example.
And for heaven's sake, DON'T wash 100% wool sweaters in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer! Unless you want to use them for doll clothing.
by jackrobin01 is a girl on January 11th, 2009
Some detergents are specifically made to handle lower temperature washes. On the whole I would say that cold water washes better.
by YARNLADY is happy everyday on January 11th, 2009
Some of the things you want to wash out of your clothes will dissolve better in hot water, such as bodily oils, and such, and bacteria gets killed in hot water, but maybe not in cold. In general, cold water will get clothes cleaner than nothing, but hot works better.
by steff09 on January 11th, 2009
right but the color or the fabric will be at its best if washed properly and last longer
I have a 60 year old baby Baptismal dress that has gotten very yellow with age. Is there a safe way to whiten the fabric?
by Anonymous on November 10th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
How can I make my clothes smell like detergent?
After Im done washing and drying my clothes have no scent. Some1 help me.
by headachexv on January 2nd, 2010
| 1 person likes this
What is the better way to soften clothes in the laundry - liquid softener in the rinse cycle or dryer sheets?
by debodun on November 15th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
How can I "set" colors when washing clothes to prevent colors running?
by rnikels on February 4th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
I am looking for a washing machine that can be used in an apartment. Do any of you have those and if so where did you get them? Know any good websites?
by Scrappy on November 15th, 2009
| 2 people like this
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