Use cold water for delicates, brights, and lightly soiled items

Choose cold water (60-80°F / 15-27°C) for delicate fabrics, vivid or dark colors, lightly soiled clothing, and any item where you want to minimize shrinkage and fading. Cold is also the most energy-efficient wash setting.

Why It Works

Cold water keeps fabric fibers tight, which locks in dye and prevents shrinkage. Modern cold-water detergents contain enzymes engineered to work at low temperatures, closing much of the cleaning gap that once existed between cold and warm washes. Cold water is gentlest on all fabric types.

Tips

• Washing in cold saves a large share of the energy a washing machine uses, since most energy goes to heating water
• Nearly all everyday clothing can be safely washed in cold
• In very cold climates, tap water below 60°F may require a "cool" setting so detergent dissolves properly
• Pre-treat stains before washing, since cold water relies on detergent chemistry rather than heat to break down soil