Did you know that you can help the environment just by switching the knob on your washing machine from hot to cold water? In fact, research shows that 85%-90% of energy required to run washing machines is to heat water. Additionally, according to the Sierra Club, households that switch to cold water when doing laundry can help to eliminate around 1600 pounds of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere every year! Who knew???
What are the benefits of washing clothes in cold water?
- Washing clothes in cold water can save you money! How much you may be wondering? In Canada, switching your washing machine to cold water can reduce your energy bills by up to $130 annually.
- Cold water is often better for your clothes and makes them last longer! Delicate materials such as silk, lace, cashmere, and wool should NEVER be washed in hot water. If you are unsure how to care for a garment, always wash it in cold water to be extra careful. Why? Hot water is tougher on fibers and can cause clothes to stretch, shrink, fade, and bleed colour.
- Using cold water can be effective for stain removal, especially for chocolate, blood, sweat, and makeup stains. Unfortunately, hot water can help to set stains, making them more permanent.
- Washing colours and dark clothing in cold water is BEST. In fact, using cold water will assist in maintaining their colour vibrancy for longer. If you have time, you can also turn them inside out, which will aid in protecting the exterior of the fabric from friction, as well as reducing fading, pilling, and possible damage to prints. Moreover, turning them inside out helps laundry detergent to directly tackle and clean material that has been in contact with sweat and body oils.
- Cold water can reduce wrinkling! For me, this is a no-brainer. Who wants to do ironing??? Not me!
When is it better to use warm or hot water?
Sometimes, it is better to use the warm or hot water setting on your washing machine. For example, if you are trying to kill germs, bacteria and/or viruses on fabrics, cold water just won’t cut it! So, if you or someone else in your household is sick, make sure to turn that dial back to hot to get rid of unwanted germs. This is also true for heavily soiled or oily/grease-stained items.
Next, white clothing washes better in warm water because it helps to keep them bright and clean. However, depending on the fabric, cold water may still be more appropriate so check the label.
Lastly, fabrics such as spandex, nylon, polyester, and rayon clean more effectively in warm/hot water. However, research shows that these kinds of fabrics shed microplastics that enter into our water systems. Therefore, it’s more environmentally friendly to purchase clothing, sheets, and other items that are made from natural fibers such as cotton or bamboo.
Final Thoughts
Oftentimes, it is perfectly appropriate and preferable to wash laundry in cold water, especially brightly coloured and darker fabrics. It also saves a lot of energy, and extends garment life. Nowadays, high-efficiency washing machines work much better than in the past. Additionally, choosing laundry detergents that are designed for lower temperatures can give you more choice when selecting water temperature. Typically, liquid detergents work better in cold water, as powder detergents require warmer water to dissolve. So, you can keep this in mind the next time you are purchasing laundry detergent.
Conversely, certain materials do wash better in warmer water, such as white-coloured fabrics. Also, if your goal is to eliminate germs, water temperatures need to be high. As stated before, when in doubt, check the label first.
Click here to see an article about ‘How to Read Laundry Symbols’.
Click here to see my review about ATTITUDE’s Wildflowers Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener. (They can be used with cold water).
Sources
6 Reasons why you should wash clothes inside out. Whirpool. 6 Reasons Why You Should Wash Clothes Inside Out | Whirlpool
Biggs, Caroline & Copeland, Blythe. May 7, 2025. Why water temperature matters when washing white and colorful laundry. Martha Stewart. Why Do We Wash Whites in Warm Water and Brights in Cold?
Cold water washing basics: when & why to use cold vs. hot water. Arm & Hammer. When to Use Cold Water to Wash Clothes | ARM & HAMMER™ Laundry
Pearson, Amelie. October 2022. Save money by washing clothes in cold water-especially as it can wash better! Eco Home. Cold Water for Washing Laundry – How to Save Money & Get Clothes Clean – Ecohome
Power even in cold. Washing in Cold Water | #TurnToCold with Tide
