Laundry can be hard.

We’re here to make it easy.

“I love the routine of it.”

Folded Towels in Laundry Basket

Credit: tashka2000/Getty Images

Eventually, after forty-five minutes of wrestling with the washer hose, we called a plumber.

Unlike my roommate, I’ve always dreaded laundry day.

Hot water is best forwashing white items, and warm water is good for washing knits.

But these shouldn’t be your only default controls.

Here’s a rundown of when cold water actually does the trick.

(This is why it’s important to separate your clothes into light and dark laundry loads.)

While white items do best in hot water, cold water prevents fading in your dark items.

Washing Bright Colors

Washing with cold water helps preserve colors and prevent them from bleeding or fading.

Also, never allow your bright clothes to sit in the washer.

Once they are done, remove them to prevent colors from leaking onto the other clothes.

Hand washing these delicate materials is equally as effective.

Always be sure to read the label on your delicates before washing.

Placing your delicates in a mesh wash bag before putting them in the wash can help protect your clothes.

Alwaysair drydelicates to help keep their shape and prevent shrinking.

You might also wash jeans inside out to minimize the chance of damage.

While it’s perfectly safe to put your jeans through the wash, be wary of dryers.

Leaving your jeans to air dry after a cold wash is thebest way to avoid shrinking.

(Beware: sometimes, hot water can even worsen those pesky stains).

Reducing Wrinkles

Washing your clothes in cold water can actually prevent and reduce wrinkles.

For the right loads, this cansave you lots of time in ironing.

(Who likes to iron, anyway?)

Plus, it saves you in energy costs too.

Saving Energy

When switched on hot, your washing machine expends a significant amount of energy.

So washing on cold can help lower your electric bill.

Washing Eco-Friendly

We know that washing your laundry in cold watersaves energy.

This also means it’s much more environmentally sustainable.

Washing your clothes in cold water is an easy way to live a more sustainable lifestyle!

Always consult the clothing tag before washing to find instructions specific to that item.