Water Guidelines
Selectlng water temperatures
IWASH WATER
TEMPERATURE* SUGGESTED FABRICS COMMENTS
HOT | l | Work | cbthes |
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| l | Best | cleaning | for | heavily | soiled items | |||
130°F (54°C) | l | Sturdy | whiies/cobrfast | l | Removes | oils, perspiration, | greasy | |||||||
or above |
| pastels |
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| soils, | and stains |
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| l | DiaDers |
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| l | Prevents | aravina | or velbwina | |||||
WARM | l | DarkInoncobrfast | colors | l | Best | for | lightiy | soiled to | moderateiy | |||||
l | Permanent | press | items |
| soiled | items |
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(32=44’C) | l | Nylon, | polyester, | acrylics, | l Safe for most fabric finishes | |||||||||
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| Less | fading and | dye | bleeding | |||||||||
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| silks, | woolens |
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| l | Knits/delicate | fabrics | l | Reduces | wrinkling |
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COLD | l | colors | l | Best | for | very | iightiy | soiled | items | |||||
l | Noncolorfast | items | l | Saves hot water |
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l | Hand | washables |
| l Best rinse water temperature | ||||||||||
l The washer features cold rinses for all wash temperatures. in addition, warm rinses are available wfth warm washes. Warm rinse water provides better water extraction than cokf rinse water, but may increase wrinkling when line drying. in cold climates, warm rinse water also provides a more comfortable temperature for handling the wash bad.
Checking hot water temperature
Your hot water should he 130°F (54%) or ahove. if you do not know your hot water
1.Fill a pan with the hottest water available from the faucet that fills your washer. NOTE: if you do not have a faucet at your washer site, collect the water from the faucet closest to your washer.
2.Place a candy thermometer or cooking thermometer in the water to check the temperature.
NOTE: in wash water temperatures colder than 70°F (121%), detergents do not dissoive well. Also, soils may be diffiiuit to remove, and some fabrics may retain wear wrinkles and may have increased pilling.
Water hardness
Many poor washing results can he traced to the hardness of the wash water. To check your water hardness:
l City water - ask the city water company.
l Well water - ask the local water authority.
Ask for the mineral content in grains/gallon or parts/million. if your water is more than 8 grains/gallon or more than 153 parts/ million, you shouid consider:
l Installing a water softener. l Using more detergent.
l Using a packaged water conditioner. l Not using soap.
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