6 Tips to Pick the Right Washing Machine Temperature Every Time

Cold, warm, or hot? The right dial setting protects your clothes and actually cleans them better.

1. Cold (20–30°C) is your everyday go-to. Gentle on dark colours, delicates, wool, and silk — protects fibres and minimises fading.

2. Warm (40°C) for the harder workers. Cottons, t-shirts, jeans, underwear, and activewear — breaks down body oils and sweat without damaging fabric.

3. Hot (60–90°C) for the heavy-duty stuff. Towels, bed linen, and whites — helps eliminate bacteria and dust mites, great for allergy-prone households.

4. Always check the label first. Heat can damage certain fabrics — hot isn't automatically “cleaner.”

5. When in doubt, go cold. 20°C is the safest everyday choice and extends the life of your wardrobe.

6. Pre-treat, then shorten the cycle. Once stains are pre-treated with Truly., shorter wash times are often more effective — and gentler on fabric — than a long cycle.

Expert Tip: Match the temperature to the fabric, not the habit. Pre-treat with Truly. and let a shorter, smarter wash do the rest.