7 Things You Should Never Wash In Hot Water
Hot water generally seems like the answer for getting laundry extra clean. It lifts dirt, kills germs, and helps dissolve detergents better than cold or even warm water, but not everything can handle that heat. Some fabrics and household items break down, shrink, or lose their shape when exposed to hot water. Here are seven items you should always keep away from hot water.
Delicate Fabrics
Silk, lace, and some fine synthetics can lose their structure when exposed to high heat. The fibers can weaken, warp, or shrink, making once-luxurious clothing look extremely worn out. Washing them in cold water helps preserve the fabric’s strength and shine. When in doubt, treat delicate fabrics with the gentlest option possible to extend their lifespan.
Wool and Cashmere
Wool and cashmere both respond badly to heat. Hot water makes the fibers tighten, which leads to shrinking and felting. This is why sweaters and scarves can suddenly look child-sized after a wash gone wrong. Always stick to cold water, gentle cycles, or hand washing for these materials. Lay them flat to dry too, it helps maintain their shape and softness. Heat is the fastest way to ruin their natural texture.
Dark-Colored Clothes
Hot water can strip color, especially from dark fabrics like black, navy, or deep red. The dye releases faster in higher temperature water, leaving clothes looking faded or streaky after only a few washes. If you want to keep your favorite jeans or T-shirts looking sharp, wash them inside out in cooler water and line dry when possible.
Denim
Speaking of jeans, hot water is tough on denim. It causes shrinking, fading, and loss of that structured feel that makes jeans fit so well. Denim doesn’t actually need to be washed all that often,at least not in a machine. Spot cleaning when needed and hand-washing between full cycles will help your denim clothes last much, much longer. Don’t forget to air dry them after, too.
Activewear
Most workout clothes are made with elastic fibers that provide some stretch, making them good for high-movement activities. Hot water breaks down those fibers, making leggings saggy and sports bras lose their support. It can also set odors deeper into the fabric instead of removing them. Cold water, combined with a mild detergent, cleans these clothes without damaging their flexibility, as does letting them air dry rather than blasting them with more heat in the dryer.
Towels and Washcloths
It might seem like hot water is best for towels, but frequent exposure can actually shorten their life. Heat makes cotton fibers rougher and less absorbent over time. Instead, use warm or cold water with a more thorough detergent. Save hot washes for when someone in the home is sick or when sanitizing is absolutely necessary.
Bed Sheets and Pillowcases
Although sheets can handle warm water, regular hot cycles wear them down faster. Cotton in particular weakens when exposed to high heat too often, leading to thinning and tearing. If you want bedding to stay soft and strong, wash in warm or cool water most of the time. Use hot water only when you need a deep clean, such as during flu season.
Related Articles
Hot water has its uses, but it isn’t the solution for every type of laundry. Fabrics all respond differently to heat, and choosing the right wash cycle makes a big difference in how your clothes feel. Not to mention that keeping them out of hot water will make them last much longer! Your clothes will thank you, and once you see the difference using less hot water makes, you’ll thank yourself too!
Daniel Mitchell
