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Water
Water temperature guide
Wash
HOT
130°F (54%)
or above
Rinse Use For
Comments
COLD
l
Sturdy whites and
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Gives best cleaning for heavy soils.
colorfast pastels
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Removes oils, perspiration, greasy
l
Diapers
soils and stains.
l
Heavy soils
l
Prevents graying and yellowing.
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Work clothes
l
Helps remove wrinkles from
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Normally soiled permanent
permanent press.
press and synthetic items
WARM
90”-110°F
(32”-44°C)
COLD
l
Light and moderate soils
l
Dark or non-colorfast
colors
l
Knits and delicate fabrics
l
Nylons, polyesters,
acrylics, silks, woolens
l
Prewash, soak
l
Safe for most fabric finishes.
l
Less fading and dye bleeding.
l
Reduces wrinkling.
COLD
7o”-90°F
(21”-32°C)
COLD
l
Rinsing, for all fabrics
l
Extra sensitive colors
(non-colorfast)
l
Very lightly soiled items
l
Moderately soiled items if
extra detergent is added
l
Saves hot water.
l
Less effective cleaning than hot or
warm water.
l
Use liquid detergent, or dissolve
powdered detergent in warm water
before adding to cold wash water.
l
Pretreat spots, stains and heavy or
greasy soils.
l
Use longest wash time in cycle
selected.
To check your hot water temperature with a candy or cooking thermometer:
1. Fill a pan with the hottest water available from the faucet that will fill your washer.
2. Place a candy or cooking thermometer in water to check the temperature.
NOTE: In wash water temperatures colder than 70°F (21°C):
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Detergents do not dissolve well.
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Soils are difficult to remove.
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Some fabrics will retain wear wrinkles and may have increased pilling.
Water hardness
Many poor washing results can be traced to wash
water hardness. To check your water hardness:
If your water is 9 or more grains-per-gallon or
more than 153 parts-per-million:
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City water-ask your city water company.
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Well water-call your Cooperative Extension
Service.
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Consider installing a water softener.
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Use more detergent.
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Use a packaged water conditioner.
Ask for the mineral content in grains-per-gallon or
parts-per-million.
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Do not use soap.
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