Hot and cold water stains
Perhaps you’ve had this happen: you’re getting ready for an important event or meeting, and something spills on your clothes, leaving a stain. At that moment, you think back to what you learned as a child or young person about how to quickly remove that specific stain.
As you may know, some stains are better cleaned with hot water, while others respond better to cold water. Some also use other things likevinegarBut the main question is: why do some stains come out better with hot water and others with cold water?
Stains are generally divided into two main types:Oil-based stains and water-based stains, such as beverages like fruit juice (which may contain water) and greasy stains that have a fatty feel and contain less water.
For example, ink, chocolate, lipstick, or dye stains, which are tougher to clean when fat-based, so the temperature of the water affects how well they are removed and works differently for each type.
Hot water for stains
If you have a white or light-colored stain on your clothes, hot water can be more effective. For example, stains on children’s underwear are usually washed with hot water, which also disinfects the fabric. Hot water activates cleaning agents and works better than cold water here.
For grease stains, the best way is to use solvent-based cleaners. But if you prefer to wash with water, hot water is more effective. Hot water removes stains likechocolatemore effectively than cold water for removing chocolate stains.
Sometimes, hot water can also change or fade the fabric’s color and cause more wrinkles, especially with wool or delicate fabrics. Still, hot water between 90°F and 110°F (about 32°C to 43°C) isn’t as disinfectant as boiling water at 130°C (around 266°F).
Using cold water for stains
Cold water can be used for many stains, but certain fabrics must only be washed with cold water. Delicate fabrics like silk and satin, or items that need hand washing, should be washed in cold water at about 90°F or colder.
Furthermore, as previously discussed in lifestyle tipsSelMagzStains that come from proteins—like blood, eggs, milk, dairy, deodorant, or glue—must be washed with cold water. Hot water cooks the proteins, making the stain set into the fabric and harder to remove.
Stains such as sauce, soy, tea, coffee, jelly, urine, baby food, or colors should be washed with cold water. If you’re not sure, start with cold water because it is gentler on the fabric.
