Washing machine temperature guide

You’ve probably wondered why there are so many different temperature options available when setting up your wash cycle. Will a cold wash effectively clean your clothes? Is a hot cycle always more effective?

The first step when doing your laundry is to check the basin icon on the care label stitched on the inside in order to ensure a longer lifespan for them. In general, lightly soiled, dark clothes, denim, and delicates only require a cold wash while very soiled clothes, bedding and towels necessitate a warm or hot cycle.

Keep on reading our washing machine temperature guide to find out how to pick the appropriate wash cycle temperature.

Most washing machines have a cold wash setting, meaning, the water isn’t heated at all, but a temperature up to 30°C is still considered a cold wash. It’s a high enough temperature for delicate fabrics, bright colours that could run or fade and lightly soiled clothes. You can wash clothes in cold water if they’re only lightly soiled, as well as dark clothes and denim that risk fading or shrinking in higher temperatures. Don’t forget to watch out for the cold wash symbol on the garment label – it can either show a single dot in a basin or any number below 30.

You can refer to our washing machine temperature guide to find out how to preserve the lifespan of your clothes while effectively washing all your laundry.

Some clothes require a cold wash in order to lengthen their lifespan, such as dark laundry and delicate fabrics. 20°C is a cold wash but is a high enough temperature to remove dirt and most stains with a reduced risk of fading or shrinking. Thanks to Vanish Oxi Action Multi Power powder, you can wash at 20°C to remove tough stains safely, prevent colour transfer and remove odours.

30°C is a cold wash and can be a good option for clothes that you want to preserve, such as jeans and other denim pieces. Colder wash cycles save on power and help the environment, as well as save on your energy bills!

40°C is not a cold wash although it is the most common wash temperature. It is the temperature most garment labels recommend as it is warm enough to clean soiled clothing and get rid of tougher stains such as makeup, without being too harsh on the fabric. However with Vanish Oxi Action Multi Power powder, you can wash at 20°C to remove tough stains, prevent colour transfer and remove odours.

It is more energy efficient and better for clothing to select a cold temperature machine wash for most things. Thanks to Vanish Oxi Action Multi Power powder, you can wash at 20°C to remove tough stains, prevent colour transfer and remove odours.

Most clothes no longer require separate loads: mixing colours, except for whites that need to be washed in another load, is fine. The ideal temperature for a mixed-colour wash is cold, at either 20°C or 30°C. Use Vanish Oxi Action Multi Power powder to prevent colour transfer during the mixed-colour wash.