Wash colors in cold water every time

Set your washing machine to cold water (60-80°F / 15-27°C) for every colored load, regardless of soil level. Pre-treat stains separately rather than relying on hot water.

Why It Works

Heat opens fabric fibers and accelerates the release of dye molecules into wash water. Cold water keeps fibers tighter, locking dye in place. Modern cold-water detergents use enzymes that clean effectively without heat, so there is no cleaning penalty.

Tips

• Cold water also saves energy — heating accounts for most of a washing machine's electricity use
• Even a "warm" setting causes noticeably more fading than cold over repeated washes
• Spot-treat stubborn stains with a dab of detergent before washing instead of turning up the temperature