Use hot water for whites, towels, and heavily soiled items

Set the washing machine to hot (130-140°F / 54-60°C) for white cotton basics, towels, bed sheets, underwear, and heavily soiled work or sports clothes. This is the most effective temperature for sanitizing and deep cleaning.

Why It Works

Hot water dissolves detergent more completely, breaks down body oils and sweat more effectively, and kills most bacteria and dust mites. For items that contact skin directly (towels, sheets, underwear) and for heavily soiled items, hot water provides a level of cleaning that cold water cannot match.

Tips

• Most home water heaters are set to 120°F — true hot wash requires 130°F or higher
• Check care labels, as some white synthetics and blends are not hot-water safe
• Hot water uses significantly more energy than cold — reserve it for loads that truly need it
• 190°F is sanitize-cycle territory and generally unnecessary for routine laundry