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Water usage guide
Water temperature
WASH
RINSE
USE FOR
COMMENTS
HOT
COLD
l Sturdy whites and
l Gives best cleaning for heavy
13O"F(54"C)
colorfast pastels
soils.
or above
l Diapers
l Removes oils, perspiration, greasy
l Heavy soils
soils and stains.
l Work clothes
l Prevents graying and yellowing.
l Normally soiled permanent
l Helps remove wrinkles from
press and synthetic items
permanent press.
WARM
COLD
90"-110°F
l Light and moderate soils
l Safe for most fabric finishes.
(32"-44°C)
l Dark or non-colorfast
l Less fading and dye bleeding.
colors
l Knits and delicate fabrics
l Reduces wrinkling.
l Nylons, polyesters,
acrylics, silks, woolens
l Prewash, soak
COLD
70”-90°F
(21”-32°C)
COLD
l Rinsing, for all fabrics
l Saves hot water.
l Extra sensitive colors
l Less effective cleaning than hot or
(non-colorfast)
warm water.
l Very lightly soiled items
l Use liquid detergent, or dissolve
l Moderately soiled items if
powdered detergent in warm water
extra detergent is added
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.
If you do not have a faucet at your wash site,
collect water from the faucet closest to your
washer.
NOTE: In wash water temperatures colder
than 70°F (21 C):
l Detergents do not dissolve well.
l Soils are difficult to remove.
l 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:
l City water-ask your city water company.
l Well water-call your Cooperative Extension
Service.
Ask for the mineral content in grains-per-gallon
or parts-per-million.
If your water is 9 or more grains-per-gallon
or more than 153 parts-per-million:
l Consider installing a water softener.
l Use more detergent.
l Use a packaged water conditioner.
l Do not use soap.
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