Wash whites separately. The best way to retain whiteness is to launder white items together in the hottest water the fabric will tolerate (water that is at least 120 degrees is most effective at removing soil). Choose a detergent with a bleach alternative and/or enzymes, using the maximum amount recommended.
When to Use Hot Water – For whites, typically dirty clothes and diapers, use hot water (130°F or above). Hot water is best to remove germs and heavy soil. However, hot water can shrink, fade and damage some fabrics, so be sure to read your clothing labels before selecting the hot option.
Ideally, whites should be washed at 60 degrees to keep them pristine, although this can depend on the fabric.
Place white clothes labeled for warm-water washing in your machine. For instance, a cotton shirt and a rayon blouse can be washed at the same time. Use a warm, normal setting or your machine's gentle setting.
A 60 degrees laundry can be used for heavily soiled white clothing as well, but it is suggested that you check the label first to ensure it is ok to do so. You may want to add bleach to add sparkle to your whites as well.
A 90-degree cycle should really only be used for items that are very soiled or extremely dirty. Bedding and sheets should ideally run on a 60-degree wash, as should towels and even underwear and baby clothes.
Hot washes (60°C and above) are best for washing tough stain items or items that contain high levels of bacteria, for instance clothes worn by someone who has been ill.
The ideal temperature to wash towels is around 40 degrees to ensure your towels stay fresh and feeling soft for longer. But a 60 degree wash will be better at killing germs and bacteria. If possible, use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle is just as good.
Using hot water will kill germs and bacteria. As long as the whole load is white, you can also add some bleach for an extra sanitizing boost. Colors, on the other hand, should be washed in cold water. This will keep the dye from leaking out too much, which protects your other clothes and also preserves the color.
Washing at 60°C will not shrink every type of clothing, but may shrink items made of natural fibres such as cotton and wool.
A wash at 90 degrees can brighten whites
But, if you combine a 90-degree wash with some biological powder, your clothes will be glowing in no time at all.
30°C - 40°C
Whites (material dependant) White items can show dirt very easily and people are used to washing them at higher temperatures. The key here is to separate by material and pay close attention to the care label.
At this slightly warmer temperature you may be able to see better results when washing cotton, acrylics, acetate or blended fabrics like wool mixes and polyester blends. 30°C washes softer fabrics better than 40°C, which is why 40° is better for your everyday clothing, and fabrics that are harder e.g. wool.
40 degrees Celsius isn't considered a cold wash or a hot wash. It is actually straight down the middle – a warm wash. And it's ideal for a lot of your laundry. As with anything, there are pros and cons to washing your clothes, towels, or bedding at 40 degrees.
Using higher temperatures for whites can effectively help remove stains and bacteria. However, the most effective temperature depends on the fabric as well. Some fibers will shrink and become weaker in hot water, so the best course of action is to use lukewarm water, ranging between 90 to 110 degrees.
If it's too full, there won't be enough space for the cycle to fully clean the clothes and if it's under filled, the linen may break down faster meaning you'll have to buy new towels sooner rather than later. For household washing machines, the best temperature to wash towels at is at around 40 degrees.
A good temperature for washing towels and sheets is 40 degrees, but a 60 degreewash will be better at killing germs. Changing your sheets and towels once a week can help to keep them fresh and clean**. Use ourlaundry tips section for guidelines on different fabrics.
Before you toss your whites into the washing machine to rid them of their grey tone, soak them in a pail of hot water with two cups of baking soda for a couple of hours. After that, place them in the washing machine and wash them with an enzyme-rich detergent, which can break down fats, oils, and protein chains.
For the most part, in the case of heavily soiled clothes, towels and bedding, whites should be washed in warm or hot water, but there are some exceptions: Sheer or delicate fabrics, such as lingerie and swimwear, require lower temperatures, while stains like blood, wine, and coffee might set if washed in warm or hot ...
Set the Water Temperature and Cycle
Use hot water—or the warmest water recommended for the fabric—to help remove body oils and grime that can dull the material. Wash them using the normal or heavy-duty setting on the machine, depending on the severity of the stains or discoloration.
Overall, we've found that washing on a lower temperature does conserve energy and will save you money, but if you have fabrics which need a little extra stain-removal power then you might see a better result washing at 40 degrees.
For perfect washing in a washing machine, it is important to know that white cotton can be washed at up to 95°C, while the temperature for coloured cotton should be no higher than 60°C, with a short rinsing period and the minimum possible spin cycle.
So, is it safe to wash bedding at 60 even if the label says 40? Many people disregard the care label and wash their bedding at 60 Celsius without anything bad happening. If your bedding isn't particularly expensive and you really need to wash it at 60 degrees, it's usually fine to do so.