Cold Water

Best For: Bright colors, dark fabrics, delicate items, and lightly soiled clothes.

Cold water is gentle on fabrics and helps prevent fading, shrinking, and bleeding colors. It’s also energy-efficient, which saves money on utilities. If you’re worried about your favorite shirt losing its color, cold water is usually the safest bet.

Warm Water

Best For: Everyday laundry, synthetic fabrics, towels, and jeans.

Warm water offers a balance—it’s strong enough to remove dirt and body oils, but still gentle on most fabrics. It’s a great choice for mixed loads or when you’re not sure what to use. Many people rely on warm water as their “go-to” setting for most laundry.

Hot Water

Best For: Whites, bedding, socks, underwear, and heavily soiled items.

Hot water is the most powerful for killing germs, dissolving heavy dirt, and whitening fabrics. It’s the best option for sheets and towels that need extra cleaning. However, it can shrink certain fabrics and fade colors, so stick to items that can handle high heat.

Quick Tips

• Always check clothing care labels before choosing a temperature.
• Pre-treat stains before washing for the best results.
• For mixed loads, warm water is usually the safest compromise.