Stop Using Cold Water! Here’s the Only Laundry Temperature That Truly Kills Germs
- Sonia Awamleh
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Laundry Temperature Guide: When Cold Won’t Cut It & You Need Hot to SanitiseIf someone at home is ill or you’re dealing with heavily soiled, contaminated or germ-laden fabrics, choosing the right water temperature in the washing machine isn’t just about wellness—it’s about disinfection, logic, and hygiene.
✅ Why Most Loads Can Use Cold (And Why That’s Still Smart)
Washing in cold water has become the default for many households thanks to its benefits:
Cold-water washes save energy and reduce utility bills. Organizing.TV+2Real Simple+2
Cold water is gentler on fabrics, minimising damage, fading, shrinkage. Real Simple+1
For many everyday clothes—lightly soiled, coloured or delicate items—cold water is perfectly fine. Real Simple+1
🚩 But Here’s When Cold Won’t Do the Job Alone
There are specific situations where hot water or the highest suitable temperature is essential to kill bacteria, viruses, allergens and handle extreme contamination.
🔍 When to use Hot (or at least a high-temperature wash)
When someone in the household is sick: clothes, bed sheets, towels used by them should be washed on the hottest setting their care label allows. Better Homes & Gardens+1
Fabrics exposed to infections, parasites (lice, ringworm, pink eye) or heavy contamination. Better Homes & Gardens
Kitchen towels, potholders, aprons, dish towels that contact raw meat or high-bacteria food zones. Better Homes & Gardens
Heavily soiled garments, work clothes contaminated with chemicals/pesticides. House Digest+1
Baby cloth diapers, baby clothes that can tolerate hot washes. Better Homes & Gardens
Pet bedding, towels used for pets, plush toys that carry dander/odour. Better Homes & Gardens
📏 What Temperature Should You Aim For?
Aim for ≈ 60 °C (140 °F) as a solid benchmark for effective sanitising—if your machine and fabric allow it.
If 60°C is too hot for the fabric: use the highest safe temperature (eg 50°C) plus a laundry disinfectant or sanitiser product, then tumble-dry on high or steam-iron for added kill.
Always check the garment’s care label first—“wash hot” or “up to 60°C” etc. The label takes priority.
Cold washes (30-40°C) are fine for delicates, colours, everyday wear—but not when true disinfection is needed.
🧺 Quick Decision-Table
🔑 Pro Tips for Maximum Clean & Hygiene
Pre-treat stains (especially oily/greasy) because hot water does a better job on oil-based residues. Better Homes & Gardens
If you wash someone’s laundry who’s been ill: wear gloves when loading/unloading laundry, and dry immediately—don’t let damp laundry sit. Better Homes & Gardens
After the wash, dry on high heat or steam-iron to further kill residual germs.
For fabrics/cases that cannot take hot water: use a laundry sanitising additive (approved for fabric) + hottest wash they tolerate + dry thoroughly.
Don’t overload your machine: agitation and detergent benefit from room to work.
Always check the care label—some fabrics cannot tolerate high heat (wool, some synthetics) or may shrink/fade. House Digest
📝 Final Word
When it’s just routine laundry, cold or warm water is often fine and more energy-efficient. But if your goal is hygiene, disinfection, infection control or tackling “heavy-duty” loads (kitchen towels, pet beddings, illness laundry), you must go for the highest safe temperature your fabrics allow—ideally around 60 °C—or combine lower temps with smart sanitising steps. By doing so, your laundry will be both clean and safe.
🔗 Sources
“8 Things You Should Never Wash in Cold Water” – Better Homes & Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/what-not-to-wash-in-cold-water-8726443 Better Homes & Gardens
“How to Choose the Best Laundry Temperature for Your Clothes” – Real Simple: https://www.realsimple.com/laundry-washer-water-temperature-7369343 Real Simple
“Pros and Cons of Washing With Cold Water (vs. Hot Water)” – Organizing.TV: https://organizing.tv/pros-and-cons-of-washing-with-cold-water-vs-hot-water/ Organizing.TV
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