Cold vs Warm Water Washing: What’s Best for Your Clothes?
If you wash your clothes, you may have often found yourself wondering whether you are using water at the right temperature. There are many inaccuracies in the talk surrounding washing clothes, such as hot water is necessary for ‘clean’ clothes, cold water causes shrinkage, it’s okay to wash things that should be sent to a dry cleaning service in Dubai, and so on. The result is you trying the absolute opposite that should be done to clean clothes safely. So, let’s dive into the proper techniques, specifically cold vs warm water washing, and which one is ideal for clothes.
Why Worry About Cold vs Warm Water Washing?
Water temperature is not just a number when you are doing laundry for cleaning and preserving your clothes. The level of heat or cold in your laundry water has a lasting effect on the fiber integrity and color. Therefore, how long your clothes last and how well they look largely depends on what water setting you opt for.
That said, let’s see when you can use warm and cold water safely for your clothes, and which circumstances call for using each without any second thoughts to avoid common laundry mistakes. A little care goes a long way towards saving money too often on new clothes, and saving your peace of mind too!
Benefits Which Warm Water Offer for Clothes
Warm water washing and tough stain removal are actions usually associated with each other. Warm to hot water is better at breaking down the fats and grease present in some clothes stains and spills. When talking about cold vs warm water washing, higher water temperature is vital if you have clothes made of materials like cotton. These usually tend to shrink or wrinkle unless you opt for warm water washing and don’t tumble dry for long. You get to ensure that your garments have an nice appearance and are comfy instead of being rough to wear.
Warm water can help extend the life of your clothes by preventing excessive wear and tear. Another reason that warm water is a great contender is because it can eliminate germs and bacteria on clothes. This is truly vital if you or anyone in your home is not well, or is prone to getting sick too often.
When Should You NOT Use Warm/Hot Water for Washing Clothes
Are you washing delicate fabrics like silk or cashmere and need to make sure that these stay as they are? This is where warm water, let alone hot water temperature, is a big no-no in laundry rules anywhere!
Warm water affects the fabric integrity of any delicate clothing items you own. Additionally, it will make them lose their shape or shrink them. In case you are stuck between cold vs warm water washing for special fabrics like wool, too-high water temp may lead to fraying fibers.
Why Washing Clothes in Cold Water is a Great Idea
Water at lower temperatures is very good at maintaining the color and feel of garment. It is a gentle choice, especially for delicate fabrics like silk. Just make sure to use a good detergent made for cold washes.
Of course, among its most notable effects in washing is cold water’s role in saving energy. You can lower energy use by switching to cold water and reduce electricity bills with sustainable laundry practices. Most of the power your washing machines use during a wash cycle is to get the water to that ideal warm temperature.
When Should You NOT Use Cold Water to Wash Clothes
Knits and synthetic materials like nylon and polyester can be hassle-free to wash in warm water than cold water.
Is your aim to sanitize when someone in your household has the flu and killing bacteria is a priority? Then washing your clothes and household linens in hot water can help prevent the spread of germs. Of course, dry cleaning prevents the spread of germs and viruses if you need to be one hundred percent sure.
Climate can also affect your decision about the need to use cold vs warm water washing for clothes and linens. Detergents might not work as well during cold weather, while using warm or hot water is the way to go for cleaning clothes well.
Some Helpful Tips to Leverage the Benefits of Cold or Warm Water
Once understand the specifics of whether cold or warm water is better for washing clothes, let’s see how you can select the right water temperature and make your laundry process smoother.
Check the Care Label
Your clothes tell you exactly what to do when you cannot decide between washing clothes in cold or warm watеr. That little label inside will decide your water temperature and wash cycle setting. Best put everything with the same label instructions together so that you are not confused about warm or cold water!
Sort and Prep Beforehand
A few steps before you wash can save your clothes if you are unsure about cold or warm water. Take off belts and pins empty your pockets and close any Velcro or zippers. These small but smart moves keep things cleaner and help avoid snags or damage.
Treat Stains Prior to Wash
Stains can be stubborn, but you can pre-treat these instead of drastically changing the water temp for treatment. You need to remove the solid stuff before you blot the fabric with a damp towel and follow with a stain remover.
Is the Water Temperature Dilemma Getting to You? Turn to the Pros!
If you stay undecided about cold vs warm water washing, especially when it comes to formal or delicate clothing, then turn to the experts at Maham Laundry to eliminate your woes.
Our skilled technicians understand fabrics to their core and know exactly how to wash them at the right temperature. We also offer dry cleaning services for clothes that don’t fare well in water altogether. Reach out to us today and book your laundry pickup anywhere in Dubai!