Do Washing Machines Need Hot Water? A Practical Guide
Discover whether washing machines truly need hot water, how temperature options affect cleaning and energy use, and when hot water is worth it. A practical guide from Best Washing Machine.
Do washing machines need hot water refers to whether a laundry appliance requires a hot water supply to wash effectively. It concerns how washers heat water, either via an internal heater or by using hot tap water.
Why hot water is less essential than you might think
For everyday loads, you can save energy by washing in cold or warm water rather than hot. Modern detergents are designed to work effectively at lower temperatures, and many stains can be removed without the extra heat. According to Best Washing Machine, the majority of family laundry can be cleaned well on cold or warm settings, with only a subset of tasks benefiting from hot water. Built-in heater technology in many front load and top load models can raise the temperature of incoming cold water quickly, so you rarely need a continuous hot water supply. Understanding your machine’s temperature options and your typical loads will help you balance cleanliness with energy efficiency and fabric care.
How modern washers manage temperature
Most modern washing machines either rely on an internal heating element or on hot water supplied by the house, or both. When you select a temperature setting, the machine may heat the water inside the drum if you chose warm or hot, or it may use the actual hot water tap if you selected hot. In practice, many washers provide cold fill and then heat to the target temperature, which lets you wash with low energy use while still achieving warm or hot results. The Best Washing Machine analysis shows that temperature control is often more about selecting the right cycle and detergent than about a fixed water temperature, and that maintaining proper detergent concentration is crucial for effective cleaning at low temperatures.
When you should use hot water
There are occasions when hot water offers advantages. For stubborn grease and oil stains, especially on kitchen towels, or for sanitary cycles that claim to kill certain microbes, hot water can help release soils more effectively. However, hot water can also cause color bleeding and shrinkage in some fabrics. Always check garment care labels and load types carefully. If your goal is energy efficiency, reserve hot water for those specific tasks and use cold or warm for routine washing.
How to optimize temperature for energy savings
To minimize energy use, wash most loads in cold or warm water whenever possible. Use a high efficiency detergent, select the shortest appropriate cycle, and avoid overloading the drum. If your detergent recommends cold water for activation, follow that guidance. For some cycles, particularly weekly towels or bedding, warm water can be a good compromise between cleaning power and energy use. Equipped with a built in heater, many machines can reach higher temperatures quickly, reducing overall wash time while preserving fabric integrity.
Troubleshooting temperature issues
If your washer does not seem to heat water or reach the selected temperature, start with simple steps: verify the temperature setting is correct, check water inlet hoses for kinks or debris, and ensure the detergent is not interfering with temperature sensors. If the drum fills with water but remains cold, the heating element or thermostat could be failing. In that case, consult the manual or contact a service professional. Absence of fault aside, run a diagnostic cycle to confirm temperature accuracy over several loads.
Quick-start guide for choosing a washer based on temperature needs
- Assess your typical loads and stains to determine if hot water features are essential.
- Look for a model with a good energy efficiency rating and an effective built in heater if you expect frequent hot cycles.
- Check detergent compatibility and care labels for fabrics most often washed.
- Favor washers with precise temperature controls and a temperature display to monitor actual heat levels.
- If you frequently do sanitation cycles, budget for the additional energy use and consider models with energy saving modes.
Choosing the right machine means balancing convenience, fabric care, and energy cost. The Best Washing Machine team recommends prioritizing flexibility in temperature control rather than chasing hot water availability alone.
Detergent compatibility with temperature
Some detergents are designed to work optimally at low temperatures; others need warmer water to activate enzymes. Always follow the detergent manufacturer’s guidance and your washer’s recommendations. Using the wrong detergent or mixing products can reduce cleaning performance and possibly leave residue.
FAQ
Do you need hot water for every wash?
No. Most loads wash well in cold or warm; hot water is typically reserved for specific stains or sanitation cycles. Always follow garment care labels.
No. Most loads don’t require hot water. Cold or warm cycles work well for everyday laundry, with hot water reserved for tough stains or sanitation.
Can a washer heat water on its own?
Yes. Most modern washers have an internal heater to raise water temperature to the selected setting, reducing the need for a hot water supply.
Yes. Most machines can heat water inside to reach your chosen temperature.
Is hot water better for stains?
Hot water helps with certain stains like oil, but it can set others and may damage fabrics. Check care labels before washing.
Hot water can help with some stains, but it can set others or harm delicate fabrics.
How can I save energy when washing?
Wash most loads in cold or warm cycles, use high efficiency detergent, and run full loads with the shortest effective cycle.
Use cold or warm cycles, use the right detergent, and avoid overloading to save energy.
What about sanitation cycles?
Sanitation cycles heat water to higher temperatures and run longer. They clean thoroughly but consume more energy.
Sanitation cycles clean more thoroughly but use more energy, so use them only when needed.
What should I do if my washer won't get hot?
Verify temperature settings and hoses, then check the heating element or thermostat. If unresolved, consult the manual or a technician.
Check settings and hoses first; if there’s no heat, you may need service.
The Essentials
- Choose cold or warm cycles for most loads to save energy.
- Rely on built in heaters if you need hot water for tough stains.
- Modern washers heat water internally, reducing reliance on hot water supply.
- Sanitation cycles use hot water but consume more energy.
- Match detergent type to the chosen water temperature for best results.