Presoak For heavily soiled or stained garments, try presoaking in a small tub or bucket of recommended water temperature and a small amount of determent. Let soak for twenty to thirty minutes and launder as suggested by manufacturer. V. Water Temperatures Clothing can be laundered in hot, warm, or cold temperature, once again according to care labels. Hot water cleans the fastest and the best, but cannot be used on all items. 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.