LAU N D R Y T I P S
Water guidelines
Selecting water temperatures
WASH WATER
TEMPERATURE
HOT
130°F (54°C)
or above
WARM
90-110°F
(32-44°C)
COLD
70-90°F
(21-32°C)
†
The washer features cold rinses for all wash temperatures.
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.
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SUGGESTED FABRICS
†
•
Work clothes
•
Sturdy whites/colorfast
pastels
•
Diapers
•
Dark/noncolorfast colors
•
Permanent press items
•
Nylon, polyester, acrylics,
silks, woolens
•
Knits/delicate fabrics
•
Extra-sensitive colors
•
Noncolorfast items
•
Hand washables
COMMENTS
•
Best cleaning for heavily soiled items
•
Removes oils, perspiration, greasy
soils, and stains
•
Prevents graying or yellowing
•
Best for moderately soiled to lightly
soiled items
•
Safe for most fabric finishes
•
Less fading and dye bleeding
•
Reduces wrinkling
•
Best for very lightly soiled items
•
Saves hot water
•
Best rinse water temperature
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.