5 Things You Should Never Wash in Hot Water, According to Laundry Pros

Hot water can often be too harsh for many of your everyday (and especially delicate) pieces.

“Cold water is your wardrobe’s best friend: It’s gentler, prevents damage, and helps your clothes last longer—so you can look polished without the wear and tear,” says Rechelle Balanzat, CEO of laundry-service company Juliette.

However, Jessica Ek, laundry expert and associate vice president at the ACI (American Cleaning Institute), explains how hot water is still useful for disinfecting and treating articles that possess a high potential for germs (think dish towels, baby clothes, dog bedding, and more).

If you’re confused about when it is and isn’t okay to wash certain items with hot water, here are some guidelines offered by the pros, so you can maintain your favorite pieces of clothing longer.

Wool and Cashmere Garments

Heat and agitation are key in shrinking and felting wool fibers.

“The wool fibers mat together permanently, turning your favorite sweater into doll clothes,” says Matt O’Connor, CEO of NoScrubs Laundry Delivery.

It can also cause unsightly pilling. If you must wash a wool garment, you can go with cold or lukewarm water with the least amount of agitation (e.g. washing by hand or running the delicate cycle if using a machine).

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Delicates

Delicate fabrics—such as silk, lace, and select synthetic materials—exposed to hot water can shrink, fade in color, lose sheen, and become more susceptible to damage due to weakening of the fibers. Balanzat recommends washing delicates in cold water with a gentle detergent.

High Thread-Count Towels

This one is tricky since, correctly, you’d guess that bath and hand towels frequently come into contact with germs and therefore need a good disinfectant. But when washed in hot water, a high thread-count towel can begin to fade, lose its luxurious plush feel, and develop weakened fibers—to the point where they can’t absorb water as well.

And at that point, it defeats the purpose of a towel. If you’re concerned about all those lingering germs on towels or other articles, but want to avoid the wear, Ek suggests using a laundry sanitizer (which can kill certain but not all viruses and bacteria).

Activewear and Underwear

You might believe that hot water is required to clean clothes that absorb so much sweat, but most athletic apparel is manufactured to be stretchy, and heat breaks down elasticity over time, reducing both performance and fit, according to Balanzat. Do your yoga and spinning pants a favor by washing them in cold water.

Like activewear, a lot of undergarments are made with elasticity to fit and stay put on the body, so if you want these items to keep their shapes, avoid using hot water. These are also articles you might consider using with a laundry sanitizer, as they can help kill odor.

Darks and Colors

Heat sets dye unevenly and causes fading, which is why you’ll want to wash your vibrant and dark garments, such as jeans, in cold water instead. (Unless, of course, you’re intentionally trying to fade your denim pants and jacket for a weathered look.)

Denim in particular is also known to shrink, so if you want to comfortably fit into your jeans beyond one wash, avoid the hot water. Double check the tags of certain colored clothing items because they may come with warnings to avoid hot water.