LAUNDRY TIPS
Water guidelines
Selecting water temperatures
WASH WATER |
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TEMPERATURE* | SUGGESTED FABRICS | COMMENTS |
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HOT | • Work clothes | • Best cleaning for heavily soiled items |
130°F (54°C) | • Sturdy whites/colorfast | • Removes oils, perspiration, greasy |
or above | pastels | soils, and stains |
| • Diapers | • Prevents graying or yellowing |
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WARM | • Dark/noncolorfast colors | • Best for moderately soiled to lightly |
• Permanent press items | soiled items | |
• Nylon, polyester, acrylics, | • Safe for most fabric finishes | |
| silks, woolens | • Less fading and dye bleeding |
| • Knits/delicate fabrics | • Reduces wrinkling |
COLD | • | • Best for very lightly soiled items |
• Noncolorfast items | • Saves hot water | |
• Hand washables | • Best rinse water temperature | |
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*The washer features cold rinses for all wash temperatures. In addition, warm rinses are available with warm washes. Warm rinse water provides better water extraction than cold rinse water and shortens drying times. However, warm rinse water may increase wrinkling when line drying. In cold climates, warm rinse water also provides a more comfortable temperature for handling the wash load.
Checking hot water temperature
Your hot water should be 130°F (54°C) or above. If you do not know your hot water temperature, you can check it easily. You may need to raise the temperature of your water heater. To check 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 (21°C), detergents do not dissolve well. Also, soils may be difficult to remove, and some fabrics may retain wear wrinkles and may have increased pilling.
Water hardness
Many poor washing results can be traced to the hardness of the wash water. To check your water hardness:
•City water – ask the city water company.
•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 137 parts/ million, you should consider:
•Installing a water softener.
•Using more detergent.
•Using a packaged water conditioner.
•Not using soap.
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