In laundering, many recommend hot water because it helps keep whites looking extra bright and effectively sanitizes heavily soiled pieces. Yet it isn’t ideal for all fabrics, as it may cause fiber shrinkage, diminish vivid hues, and set in some stains.
Noah Pinsonnault, reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care Cleaning Lab, says cold water is often the gentler choice because it’s less likely to cause dyes to bleed, fibers to shrink, or elastic materials to break down.
Advances in modern detergents mean that many everyday soils can be effectively removed in cold water, so you don’t have to sacrifice cleaning performance for most routine laundry. Before choosing the temperature setting for your next load, check the list for items that should always be washed in cold water.
Dark or bright colors are good candidates for cold water because it helps minimize color transfer and fading. Washing clothing with bright colors in hot water can cause the color to bleed and transfer onto other garments.
Delicates like lace, silk, and satin should be washed in cold water to prevent damage. When laundering these items, use a mesh bag to avoid snags or pulls, and check your machine’s settings for a delicate cycle.
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Activewear is often made with materials that can lose elasticity when washed in hot water repeatedly. Garments containing spandex or elastane benefit from cooler temperatures, which help preserve stretch and extend the life of the fabric.
If you’re concerned about extra smelly gym clothes, you can pretreat them or use an appropriate detergent for odor. Most detergents can handle extra soiled clothing, even on a cold water setting.
Treat swimwear like delicates to prevent color fading or transfer and pilling. Knitwear requires careful preservation and should always be washed in cold water, especially those made with delicate fibers like wool.
Denim should be washed in cold water to prevent color fading and transfer, and to prevent denim fibers from shrinking over time. Cold water is gentler on most fabrics.
