The temperature at which you should wash your clothes depends on the type of fabric and the level of soiling. Here are some general guidelines:

• Hot water (130°F or above): Use hot water for whites, typically dirty clothes, and diapers. 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.

• Warm water (90°F to 110°F): For most other clothing items, warm water is a safe bet. Warm water can still effectively clean clothes without damaging them.

• Cold water (80°F): Use cold water for dark or bright colors that bleed or delicate fabrics. Cold water also saves energy, so it is a good choice if you want to be eco-friendly. If you choose cold water, you may need to pre-treat or pre-soak your clothes if your laundry items are heavily soiled. The lower the temperature of the water, the more detergent you need. If the temperature of the water is below 60°F, no soap or detergent performs well. But don’t make the water too hot. Washing heavily soiled articles with hot water can set stains. For heavily soiled clothes, prewash them in cool water, then wash them again in water that is 130°F or higher. The rinse water can always be cold without any harmful effects on the wash load.

Its important to read the care labels on your clothing to determine the best washing temperature. In general, you can always go down in recommended temperature but should not go up in temperature.