A quick guide
20–30°C
Everyday lightly worn clothes, darks, bright colours, delicates and synthetics. Good for keeping colours bright.
40°C
Normal everyday loads of cotton, polyester and mixed fabrics, including school uniform and workwear that isn't heavily soiled.
60°C
Towels, bedding, underwear, cleaning cloths and heavily soiled cotton, or when someone in the house has been ill.
90–95°C
Rarely needed. Only for sturdy white cottons whose label allows it.
Stains and temperature
Heat helps with some cleaning but works against some stains. Protein stains such as blood, egg, milk and sweat can set in hot water, so rinse them cold and treat them before washing. Coloured food stains like curry can set with heat too.
Treat the stain first with the right spray, then wash at the temperature on the care label. That way you're not relying on a hot wash to shift a mark it might set instead.
Matching the stain to the spray
Food, drink and body stains
Enzyme Powered, the pink bottle. Spray, wait 1–3 minutes, wash.
See Enzyme PoweredOil, grease and body oils
Pro Formula, the blue bottle. Spray, wait 1–3 minutes, wash.
See Pro Formula
Top tips
- The number on the care label is a maximum, not a target. Washing cooler is fine.
- Wash darks inside out at 30°C to keep them from fading.
- Don't overload the drum: a full but loose load cleans better than a packed one at any temperature.
Questions
For everyday, lightly worn clothes, yes. Treat any stains first and use a detergent made for low temperatures. Use 40°C or 60°C for heavier soiling, towels and bedding, within the care label.
Rinse the stain in cold water first, never hot. Treat it with Enzyme Powered, leave it 1–3 minutes, then wash at a cool temperature allowed by the care label.
60°C is a common choice for towels, bedding and underwear, if the care label allows it. Check the label first.