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What water temperature do I use for washing clothes? Hot-Cold or Warm?
Every day a customer will ask me to wash their shirts in cold water. Lucky for them I learned how to break that law of physics a long time ago. What am I talking about you ask.
There will be a test at the end so pay attention.
Lets do some simple algebra: WT+P=CS
It’s not Einstein’s theory but it’s important to know.
Water Temperature + Product = Cleaning Strength
The rule is every 15 degrees Fahrenheit increased in water temperature will double the strength of the product.
Example: Lets say you do a load of laundry using 70 degree (cold) water with one cup of detergent and that solution had a cleaning strength of one. If you increase the temperature of that same solution to 85 degrees you will have increased the cleaning strength to two. If you further increased that same solution to 100 degrees you will have increased the cleaning strength to four. An increase to 115 degrees will net a cleaning strength of eight stronger than the original solution and so on.
Something as simple as heat and water are powerful tools, knowing how to use it is the key to a successful wash and stain removal. You can easily see the advantages of changing the water temperature.
This is important to know for stain removal or bleaching purposes. If your clothes are soiled or stained you will need to increase the temperature of the water. If your wash load still has dirt or stains after you are done, before you dry it, rewash it and increase the temperature of the water.
As you can see, washing in cold water is not a very effective way to get your clothes as clean as possible with the minimum amount of product. Sure you can add more and different products, but that will increase the chance of problems(color fade, residue, yellowing, etc.) If your load of clothes didn’t come out of the washer clean, now you know why. So can I wash in cold water? Sure, anything you like.
Test question: How much should you increase water temperature?
Answer: The answer revolves around the garment. How dirty is the garment? Is the color on the garment colorfast? Will the material accept an increase in water temperature? Can you afford shrinkage?
The true answer is: use as little product as possible and as cold of a water as possible to achieve your results. Bleach is not the ultimate stain remover and it is extremely hazardous to your health so avoid it if at all possible.
Karl Huie
Pacific Heights Cleaners in San Francisco and Sausalito
is your resource for cleaning tips and garment care information.
A certified green dry cleaner by the Bay Area Green Business Program and the San Francisco Environment.
Your non toxic dry cleaning alternative serving you with an EPA approved Eco Dry Clean (Wet Clean) System that is safe for your health and is environmentally friendly.
Other Articles of Interest:
How do I prevent Shrinkage and Color Fade?
Can I wash these dry clean only pants?
How do I set the dye on a black jacket?
How to Care for Your Dark Color Garments
Topics: Cleaning Tips/Garment Care, Information - Main Page | 4 Comments »
April 6th, 2010 at tham00000003amTuesday13302010, CAM
So how do I know what temperature is right for the fabric and color?
April 6th, 2010 at thpm00000003pmTuesday23302010, CPM
Hi Mike
It takes years of experience and even then once in a while we as professionals will still miss judge a garment.
Here are the general rules to follow.
• Color – the darker the color the colder the water. White can be as hot as you wish.
• Material – certain materials are more colorfast than others. Example; cotton, denim and silks easily fade. Wools will almost never fade. Nylon and polyester are colorfast as well.
• Shrinkage – the amount of shrinkage you can afford will also dictate the temperature of the water.
• Test – on a hidden seam test for color fastness to determine the amount of color loss in the wash. Use a white towel and gently rub area with warm soap and water solution.
These rules only apply to well made garments, many poorly made garments from India and other Asian country are poorly dyed and not pre shrunk so these rules do not apply.
Hope this helps. If you have a specific garment you need evaluated please send me detailed information.
Thanks
Karl
Pacific Heights Cleaners, SF & Sausalito
Your Non-Toxic Alternative
http://www.eco-drycleaners.com
The Bay Area’s Best Certified Green Dry Cleaner
November 4th, 2010 at tham00000029amThursday26302010, CAM
[...] What water temperature do I use for washing clothes? Hot-Cold or Warm? [...]
November 4th, 2010 at thpm00000031pmThursday17302010, CPM
[...] What water temperature do I use for washing clothes? Hot-Cold or Warm? [...]