Did You Know?
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (159710)
Boise, Idaho
August 17, 2022 5:19pm CST
Washing your clothing in cold water can save the very integrity of your clothes. No transfer or fading, no shrinkage, wrinkling won't be as bad, and stains will still be removed. But, what is the exact temperature that your clothing should be washed in? GE Appliances says that the amount of dots found inside the symbol you can find on the inside seam of your clothing represents the highest temperature at which you should be washing your garments. (The symbol looks like a square tub with a wavy water line running through it.)
One dot = 90 degrees Fahrenheit
Two dots = 105 degrees
Three dots = 120 degrees
Four dots = 160 degrees
Five dots = 160 degrees
Six dots = 200 degrees
Remember that washing your clothing in hot water will set the stains deeper into the fabric of the garment. Hot water also breaks down the dyes and will make the garment look faded faster.
14 people like this
14 responses
@celticeagle (159710)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Aug 22
So your clothes should last longer and look nicer.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73890)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Aug 22
I did not know that, Thank you for the information. I will remember this,
2 people like this
@kaylachan (58546)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Aug 22
I only do laundry twice a week. I have always washed my clothes in cold water. I later learned the benefits, but I started because I was to lazy to pay for the hot water. It impacts the eletric bill, too because you aren't using power to heat and refill a hot water tank, too.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159710)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Aug 22
Too lazy to pay for hot water? I wouldn't say 'lazy' but smart. You learned the trick early.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58546)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Aug 22
@celticeagle Yeah. I had to cut costs, and I figured out where to lower the power bill. I also save water by washing more in one load, too.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59303)
• Sterling, Virginia
18 Aug 22
As much as this Is fun facts it’s better in hot water for a number of reason. 1 it kills more germs, 2 bugs like lice will die especially eggs on clothes. I’m speaking for experience there. So now I wash all the clothes I hot water. You know all the things listen never happens still. Stains happen with kids period even if you used cold water. Cold water is great for blood stains.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159710)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Aug 22
That is a separate matter to be dealt with accordingly.
@celticeagle (159710)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Aug 22
@ShyBear88 .......I am just talking about regular wash. Head lice would be a separate issue.
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
20 Aug 22
This is very informative. My wife is using a tap water for laundry.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45615)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Aug 22
I never noticed that symbol before, so I took my shirt off and had a look. One dot. I don't know at what temperature my washer runs 'warm' at, but I guess it varies with the temp of the water in the heating tank.
@marguicha (216097)
• Chile
17 Aug 22
I wash my clothes in cold water and sun dry them (whites in the sun, colors in the shadow).
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
18 Aug 22
Hot water will also speed the degradation of the fabric itself. We wash everything except whites in cold water. If I see any stains before the clothes go into the laundry, I will make a paste of OxiClean and scrub it into the fabric before washing it. When the wash cycle is done, I check to see if it needs to be treated again.
@noni1959 (9889)
• United States
18 Aug 22
I'll have to check my clothes for those dots. I always use cold water. If I get a stain, I try to immediately dab some DAWN liquid on and let it sit a bit before washing. Some clothing that is OK for the dryer, I'll still toss for half the time and if still damp, hang on hangers to finish drying.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159710)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Aug 22
I do the same. Cold water has become a habit in this household. I will half dry some of mine too and fold it while still a little damp. Can fold out the wrinkles this way.
@LindaOHio (157726)
• United States
18 Aug 22
We usually wash everything in warm water. Thanks for the info.
1 person likes this
