Do you know how to get a stain out of your favourite shirt? We’ll give you a hint. Water temperature is key—but not all stains are created equal. Your first instinct may be to go with hot water, and you might be right. However, hot water will set some stains, making them near impossible to get out. Here’s a full guide on what water temperature to use depending on the type of stain.
Wash Temperatures for Common Stains
Most stains require a cold-water rinse followed by a warm-water wash, including:
- Red wine
- Jellies, jams, and berries
- Mud
- Perspiration
- Spaghetti sauce
- Ketchup
- Chocolate
- Baby food
- Coffee
Less often, a hot-water or cold-water wash alone is recommended, but the type of fabric matters. Some stains, such as ink, may also require pre-treatment.
These stains respond best to hot water:
- Lipstick
- Grass
- Ink
- Grease (cotton and synthetic fabric only)
- Oil (all fabric types)
These stains respond best to cold water:
- Blood
- Toothpaste
Grease stains on wool, knits, and other delicates require a warm-water pre-soak, followed by a cold-water wash.
Why Does Water Temperature Matter for Stain Removal?
Certain substances dissolve in hot water, while others are essentially “cooked” in by the heat. Excluding a few outliers, the best approach is often to rinse in cold water and then wash in hot water.
Regardless of what water temperature you decide to use to help target stains, remember to check the tag for care instructions to ensure using hot or cold water won’t ruin the item.
Check out this guide from Maytag to learn more about pre-treating and removing different types of stains.
Want Dual-Temperature in One Load?
Dual-temperature functionality boosts stain-fighting performance wash cycles with the versatility of both hot and cold water. An initial cold-water wash and soak helps lift out many stains, while the subsequent hot water wash dissolves those that remain. The cold cycle also helps prevent stains from setting permanently, allowing the hot wash to do its work.
One dual temperature feature we like is the Maytag Extra Power button, which allows you to take advantage of dual-temperature wash functionality while delivering the most powerful stain-fighting and cleaning power on the market. You can couple this dual-temperature functionality with Swash™ Liquid Laundry Detergent to deliver a one-two punch to hard-to-remove stains, powered by Whirlpool’s 100 years of laundry experience.
