Why You Should and Shouldn't Wash Your Clothes In Cold Water

January 15, 2024

Why You Should And Shouldn't Wash Your Clothes In Cold Water

When it comes to laundering your garments, how often do you follow the corresponding tags for washing recommendations? While it’s much more convenient to toss your clothing into the machine, add detergent, and press “start”, it’s important to take note of washer settings, such as water temperature, to avoid damage to your clothing’s material.

For those who are unsure of the difference between washing clothes in cold water vs hot water, our laundry setting specialists have the pros of washing clothes in cold water as well as the cons that you should take note of immediately:  

The Pros of Washing Clothes in Cold Water

Coldwater is almost always the universal water temperature for laundering clothes. When it comes to washing clothes in cold water vs hot water for stain removal, cold water takes the cake for being able to tackle the toughest stains with no issues! Hot water will not be able to remove every stain such as sweat, for example, as effectively as cold water will. Coldwater refrains from setting pesky stains deeper into a clothing’s fabric.  

Another pro of washing clothes in cold water is how gentle it can be for sensitive fabrics. Garments made either entirely or have features of silk or lace typically fare better in colder water since they are less likely to shrink or morph.  

If you want to be more environmentally-friendly when laundering your clothing, cold water is the way to go! Coldwater positively supports the environment by reducing the amount of energy and costs it takes to heat up hot washing water. In addition, cold water actually reduces wrinkling, therefore supporting the environment even more by reducing the need to iron.  

The Cons of Washing Clothes in Cold Water

With every pro, there are always cons to be wary of. When it comes to your clothing, cold water will not always be the best choice when it comes to fabrics such as:

  • Spandex
  • Nylon
  • Polyester.

Even articles that have been knitted are better to be washed in hot water rather than cold. Washing clothing in hot water will even do better in killing germs and stopping the spread more efficiently than cold water will.  

When in doubt about using cold water or hot water for certain laundry situations, always check the tag first! We hope our tips on when to use cold water and when to refrain from using it helps you the next time you stop by for your go-to laundromat! If you want more laundry advice or want to get in touch with our 24-hour laundromat service, contact us now!  

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