Your washing machine's energy bills depend a lot on whether you choose cold or warm water. The washing machine uses about 90% of its energy just to heat water. That's a lot of power just to make water warm!
Cold water washing can cut your energy use by up to 90%. Your utility bills will go down and you'll leave a smaller carbon footprint. People often ask if warm water gets clothes cleaner than cold water. The question remains—should clothes be washed in warm or cold water? What changes does warm water actually make to your clothes?
Let’s take a closer look at how to choose the right temperature settings. You’ll see the money you can save with cold water and learn which clothes need warmer temperatures. The truth about laundry temperatures might surprise you as we help you reduce those energy costs—with help from smart tools like Meltek, which helps households track energy usage and save more during peak hours.
Temperature is a vital part of getting your laundry clean. The right choice between cold and warm wash can protect your clothes and save money.
Cold water ranges between 60°F and 80°F, and warm water sits between 90°F and 110°F. Hot water starts at about 130°F. These temperature variations substantially change your laundry results.
Cold water keeps dark or bright colors from bleeding or fading. Your delicate fabrics, lingerie, activewear, and wool items do better in cold water since they might shrink at higher temperatures. Cold water also removes certain stains better—especially protein-based stains from dairy, blood, and drinks like wine, coffee, and beer. Detergents dissolve best in warm water. This temperature cleans most loads well, including lightly soiled cotton, synthetic blends, linen, and manufactured fibers. Warm water strikes the right balance between cleaning power and fabric care.
Cold water saves energy but has some drawbacks. Detergents don’t work as well in water below 60°F, so you might need more detergent or pre-treatment for heavily soiled items. Research shows higher temperatures clean better—hot/warm water removed 63.5% of dust sebum from cotton while cold water only managed 49.9%.
Your local climate might influence your choice. Tap water in colder regions can drop to 40°F or lower during winter, making warm water necessary for proper cleaning.
Today’s washing machines and Meltek’s real-time energy tracking make it easier to monitor when your home is using the most energy—and shift tasks like laundry to off-peak hours for even greater savings.
Smart laundry practices save your clothes and money. The right water temperature depends on your fabric type, stains, and how dirty the clothes are.
Cold water washing (below 80°F) works best for:
Your washable clothes won’t typically shrink in cold water, which helps preserve their shape and size. Plus, if you’re enrolled in a demand response program with Meltek, you’ll be notified of high-demand hours—so you can plan your cold water washes when electricity is cheapest and cleanest.
Warm water (90°F to 110°F) is perfect for:
Warm water cleans more deeply but uses more energy. Meltek helps balance this by sending you alerts and insights about when you’re consuming more energy than usual—encouraging smart trade-offs across your entire home.
Smart laundry choices affect both your clothes and your wallet. American households run about 300 loads of laundry each year, so small changes in washing habits can lead to big savings.
Cold water washing gives you the biggest cost savings. Your washer uses 75–90% of its energy just to heat water, and switching to cold water could cut your energy costs by up to 500% per load.
You should always run full loads to save energy. A half-full machine uses just as much energy as a full one, which wastes both water and electricity. Full loads help your machine last longer by reducing wear and tear The right amount of detergent can help you save money too. Research shows you only need one tablespoon of detergent for an eight-pound load. Too much detergent won’t clean better—it stops clothes from getting clean and leaves them stiff and scratchy.
Here’s how to get the best results from cold washing:
Your laundry doesn’t need fabric softeners or scent boosters to be clean. These extras can cost you up to $371 each year.
Air-drying saves even more money than using a dryer. Electric dryers cost 28¢ to $1.89 per load. Meltek users who shift dryer usage out of peak hours and air-dry whenever possible have seen lower bills and longer-lasting clothes.
Regular machine maintenance keeps your costs down. Clean the lint trap after each load and check vents often. This helps air flow better, saves energy, and stops you from needing extra drying cycles.
The choice between cold and warm water washing ends up being about clean clothes, fabric care, and cost savings. Cold water washing is the best choice for your everyday laundry needs. It saves up to 90% of the energy that usually heats the water. You’ll definitely see a big difference in your monthly utility bills after you switch.
Better yet, pair your energy-saving laundry habits with Meltek. By receiving real-time usage alerts, tracking your savings, and avoiding peak demand charges, you can make every wash cycle part of your smart home strategy.
Cold water is better for your clothes and keeps your favorite pieces looking new longer. Warm water still works best for tough stains and really dirty items. The trick is to know which temperature suits different fabrics and stains instead of just using warm water by habit.
You can save even more money by filling up your washer, using the right amount of detergent, and hanging clothes to dry. These easy changes add up to real savings over time. A family that does 300 loads each year could save hundreds of dollars by washing clothes smarter—and with Meltek, those savings are easier to track and maximize.
Cold water washing is a chance to save money, protect clothes, and help the environment at the same time—with Meltek as your energy-saving laundry partner.
