The temperature you wash at matters for both how clean your clothes get and how well they last. In general, the warmer the water, the cleaner and more sterile your laundry becomes. Not every fabric can handle high temperatures, though.
What temperature should you wash at?
Cold water (up to 30°C)
Ideal for delicate fabrics such as silk and wool, and for clothes that can shrink. Also perfect for saving energy.
Warm water (between 40°C and 60°C)
Suitable for lightly to normally soiled laundry such as towels, sheets, and everyday clothes.
Hot water (above 60°C)
Use this for very soiled laundry or to kill bacteria and mites effectively, especially in bedding and towels.
Wash these garments at an extra high temperature
What temperature should you wash underwear at?
Hygiene is very important for underwear. Wash underwear at a minimum of 60°C to kill bacteria and viruses effectively.
At how many degrees should you wash towels?
Towels pick up a lot of skin cells and moisture and can quickly develop bacteria. After one use, they get dirty fast! Wash your towels at 60°C. This gives a thorough clean and helps keep them fresh and hygienic.
At how many degrees should you wash bedding?
You may not realize it, but when you sleep you leave sweat and skin flakes behind. So it is important to get your bedding truly clean. You do that simply by washing between 40°C and 60°C. If you wash colder, those bacteria do not go away.
Exceptions and special care
When washing clothes and other textiles, there are a few exceptions to the standard wash temperatures you may need to take into account. When is it better to deviate from the usual settings?
Delicate fabrics
Materials such as silk, wool, and certain synthetic fabrics are better washed at a low temperature, often no higher than 30 degrees. This helps protect the fabric and extend its life. It is also recommended to use a special detergent for delicate fabrics.
Heavily soiled laundry
Workwear or sportswear that is extremely dirty is better washed at a higher temperature. If you wash around 60 degrees, you really get those stubborn stains and dirty bacteria out!
Allergies
For households with allergy issues, washing at higher temperatures such as 60 degrees can be necessary to kill allergens such as dust mites effectively.
Common mistakes
Washing too cold
We understand that you want to save energy by washing cold, but is it actually clean then? Please pay extra attention to towels and underwear in particular. You really do want to wash those at a high temperature, because mold and bacteria are much more common on them.
Washing too hot
On the other hand, washing clothes at too high a temperature can lead to shrinking and faster wear of fabrics. Delicate materials such as wool and silk are especially sensitive to this.
What happens if you wash at the wrong temperature?
Not following the recommended wash temperature on the textile label can lead to damage or color loss. Each material has its own temperature needs. Also useful to read: Laundry symbols explained simply
Use this overview to quickly find out at what temperature to wash your laundry:
