Water Guidelines

Selecting water temperatures

TEMPERATURE* SUGGESTED FABRICS COMMENTS
HOT
130°F (84°C)
or above
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Work clothes
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Sturdy whites/colorfast
pastels
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Diapers
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Best cleaning for heavily soiled items
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Removes oils, perspiration, greasy
soils, and stains
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Prevents graying or yellowing
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Best for lightly soiled to moderately
soiled items
WARM
go”-1 10°F
(32”-44”C)
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DaMtoncobrfast colors
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Permanent press items
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Nylon, polyester, acrylics,
silks, woolens
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Knitsldelicate fabrics
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Safe for most fabric finishes
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Less fading and dye bleeding
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Reduces
wrinkling
COLD
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Extra-sensitive colors
70”~90°F
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Noncobrfast items
(21=32”C)
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Hand washables
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Best for very lightly soiled items
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Saves hot water
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Best rinse water temperature
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The washer features cold rinses for all wash temperatures.

Checking hot water

temperature

Your hot water should be 130°F (54°C) or
ahove. lf 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:
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City water - ask the city water company.
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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 should consider:
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Installing a water softener.
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Using more detergent.
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Using a packaged water conditioner.
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Not using soap.
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