When you turn on your faucet to wash dishes or take a shower, do you use hot or cold water? What about for laundry — do you do separate loads with different water temperatures, or do you throw everything in with some soap and call it a day?
Believe it or not, there's a time to use hot water and a time to use cold water. Fortunately, we know when to use which and want to let you in on the water "secret" so you can be a pro when to comes to washing clothes, dishes, and even you!
Hot Water vs. Cold Water
There are just some things hot water is better at, and there are others where cold water is the better option. Let's see when you should use which...
For Your Clothes
Coldwater saves energy, leads to fewer wrinkles, and won't set stains while hot water is great for killing germs. So, which should you use? Generally, whites should be washed in hot water, while darks and brights should be washed in cold water. Washing darks and brights in hot water (130°F or hotter) will lead to fading, and washing heavily stained items in hot water may set the stain. If your clothes are heavily stained, either pre-treat before washing or wash them first in cold water then again in hot water.
Note: before taking our word as law, you should always wash your clothes according to the labels (we don't want to be responsible for any shrunken shirts)!
For Your Body
By all means, you should definitely enjoy a warm (or even hot) shower, but before you get out try a cold rinse. The warmth will open your pores which allow for deeper cleansing, while the cold will tighten the pores allowing in less dirt and oil. This will keep your body feeling cleaner and your hair looking freshly washed for longer, and will DEFINITELY wake you up for work!
For Your Dishes
Hot water is the way to go when it comes to washing dishes. Not only is hot water more likely to kill bacteria, but it also better activates the soap, cuts through grease and oil, and helps dishes dry faster with fewer water spots. As far as rinsing goes, save yourself some energy and switch to cold!
Well there you have it — there is a difference between hot water tasks and cold water tasks. If you have any other plumbing questions we'd love to answer them! Give Ken's Plumbing a call today at (864) 242-5511 or click the banner below to schedule service online. We promise prompt and professional service; after all, they don't call us The Picky People's Plumber for nothin'!
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