Bright colors and delicates can be ruined by washing in hot water, while baby diapers and whites, like undergarments and washcloths, do best in this temperature. Warm water is helpful in removing wrinkles in clothing while in the washer. It is best used on permanent press items, colorfast darks, and synthetics like polyester, and wools that are washable. Cold water works best on bright colors, like orange and red, that can easily lose their brightness in warmer temperatures. And as far as the rinse temperature goes, it is cold water, also, that is best.
Cold water is best at cutting suds from clothing in the rinse cycle.
Detergents There are dozens of detergents from which to choose for laundry care today. Most people find one they are happy with and tend to stick to that brand. Some of the most popular brands are Tide, Cheer, Oxydol, and Gain. They all work well at fighting dirt, and come with manufacturer s directions on usage. The same goes for pretreating and fabric softener products, too.