Water usage guide Water temperature
WASH
HOT
130°F (54°C)
or above
WARM
go’-1 10°F
(32”-44%)
RINSE USE FOR COMMENTS
COLD l Heavy soils l Gives best cleaning for heavy
l Work clothes soils.
l Sturdy whites and l Removes oils, perspiration, greasy
colorfast pastels soils and stains.
l Diapers l Prevents graying and yellowing.
COLD l Light and moderate soils l Safe for most fabric finishes.
l Dark or noncolorfast l Less fading and dye bleeding.
colors l Reduces wrinkling.
l Moderately soiled perma-
nent press
l Nylons, polyesters,
acrylics, silks, woolens
l Knits and delicate fabrics
l Prewash, soak
COLD
70’-9O’F
(21”-32°C)
COLD l Very lightly soiled items
l Normal soiled items if
extra detergent is added
l Extra sensitive colors
(noncolorfast)
l Rinsing, for all fabrics
l Saves hot water.
l Less effective cleaning than hot or
warm water.
l Use longest wash time in cycle
selected.
l Use liquid detergent, or dissolve
powdered detergent in warm water
before adding to cold wash water.
l Pretreat spots, stains and heavy or
greasy soils.
To check your hot water temperature with a
Water hardness
candy or cooklng thermometer:
1. Fill a pan with the hottest water available
from the faucet that will fill your washer.
Many poor washing results can be traced to
wash-water hardness. To check your water
hardness:
2. Place a candy or cooking thermometer in
water to check the temperature.
If you do not have a faucet at your wash site,
l City water-ask your city water company.
l Well water-call your Cooperative Extension
Service.
collect water from the faucet closest to your
washer.
NOTE: In wash-water temperatures colder
than 70°F (21 “C):
Ask for the mineral content in grains-per-gallon
or parts-per-million. If your water is 9 or more
grains-per-gallon or more than 153 parts-per-
million:
l Detergents do not dissolve well. l Consider installing a water softener.
l Soils are difficult to remove. l Use more detergent.
l Some fabrics will retain wear wrinkles and l Use a packaged water conditioner.
may have increased pilling. l Do not use soap.
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