16
Water usage guide
Water temperature
WASH
HOT
54°C (130°F)
or above
WARM
32°-44°C
(90°-110°F)
COLD
21°-32°C
(70°-90°F)
RINSE
COLD
COLD
COLD
USE FOR
•
Heavy soils
•
Work clothes
•
Sturdy whites and
colorfast pastels
•
Diapers
•
Light and moderate soils
•
Dark or noncolorfast
colors
•
Moderately soiled perma-
nent press
•
Nylons, polyesters,
acrylics, silks, woollens
•
Knits and delicate fabrics
•
Prewash, soak
•
Very lightly soiled items
•
Normal soiled items if
extra detergent is added
•
Extra sensitive colors
(noncolorfast)
•
Rinsing, for all fabrics
COMMENTS
•
Gives best cleaning for heavy
soils.
•
Removes oils, perspiration, greasy
soils and stains.
•
Prevents graying and yellowing.
•
Safe for most fabric finishes.
•
Less fading and dye bleeding.
•
Reduces wrinkling.
•
Saves hot water.
•
Less effective cleaning than hot or
warm water.
•
Use longest wash time in cycle
selected.
•
Use liquid detergent, or dissolve
powdered detergent in warm water
before adding to cold wash water.
•
Pretreat spots, stains and heavy or
greasy soils.
To check your hot water temperature with a
candy or cooking thermometer:
1.
Fill a pan with the hottest water available
from the faucet that will fill your washer.
2.
Place a candy or cooking thermometer in
water to check the temperature.
If you do not have a faucet at your wash site,
collect water from the faucet closest to your
washer.
NOTE:
In wash-water temperatures colder
than 21°C (70°F):
•
Detergents do not dissolve well.
•
Soils are difficult to remove.
•
Some fabrics will retain wear wrinkles and
may have increased pilling.
Water hardness
Many poor washing results can be traced to
wash-water hardness. To check your water
hardness:
•
City water–ask your city water company.
Ask for the mineral content in grains-per-gallon
or parts-per-million. If your water is 9 or more
grains-per-gallon or more than 153 parts-per-
million:
•
Consider installing a water softener.
•
Use more detergent.
•
Use a packaged water conditioner.
•
Do not use soap.
L A U N D R Y T I P S
