Fill a clean basin with the right water temperature

Use a clean basin, sink, or bathtub large enough to fully submerge the garments. Fill with cool or lukewarm water based on care labels — cool for delicates and colors, lukewarm for sturdier everyday fabrics like cotton t-shirts and jeans.

Why It Works

A clean basin prevents transferring dirt or residue from previous uses. Water temperature matters: cool water prevents shrinkage and color bleeding in delicates, while lukewarm water helps dissolve body oils and detergent more effectively in sturdier fabrics.

Tips

• Lukewarm means comfortable to the touch — not warm enough to notice heat
• For family-sized loads, sort items by color and fabric weight and wash in separate batches
• Fill the basin before adding garments so you can gauge the water level accurately