Can everything be washed at 30 degrees?

Yes, almost everything. At 30ºC, lightly soiled daily clothes wash well and color is protected. However, to disinfect towels or bedding, it is recommended to go up to 60ºC.

At what temperature do clothes shrink?

It depends on the fabric. Wool can shrink even at 40ºC. Cotton usually withstands up to 60ºC, but may shrink a little in the first hot wash. Synthetics don't shrink, but deform with excessive heat.

When should I use 60 degrees?

Use 60ºC for bedding, towels, kitchen cloths, and cotton underwear that need deep cleaning and disinfection. It is the temperature where mites and bacteria really die.

Ideal Washing Temperature per Fabric: Guide to Not Shrinking Anything

Washing machine temperature selector showing options of 30, 40 and 60 degrees

Have you ever taken a sweater out of the washing machine and realized it now fits your 5-year-old niece? Or washed your white sheets and they came out a sad greyish tone? As a washing machine technician and grandson of a haberdasher, I've seen every textile disaster imaginable. And the culprit is almost always the same: water temperature.

Choosing the correct degrees isn't just about getting clothes clean; it's vital for them to last more than one season. At LaColada Ponferrada, we adjust our industrial machines to the millimeter, but at home, it's easy to get confused. Today I bring you the definitive cheat sheet so you know exactly what temperature to wash each garment at without fear.

The Real Meaning of Degrees

Before going fabric by fabric, let's understand what each temperature does in your washing machine:

20ºC - 30ºC (Cold - 68ºF-86ºF): The safety zone. Saves energy and protects bright colors and delicate fabrics. But beware, it disinfects little and removes grease stains poorly.
40ºC (Warm - 104ºF): The all-terrain standard. Activates modern detergents well and cleans normal daily dirt without being too aggressive.
60ºC (Hot - 140ºF): The hygiene barrier. At this temperature mites and bacteria die. Essential for bedding and towels, but dangerous for colors and elastics.
90ºC (Very Hot - 194ºF): Almost obsolete. Only for very resistant and very dirty white cotton (kitchen rags, mechanic work clothes). Destroys fabrics in the long run.

Quick Table: Temperature per Fabric

Fabric	Ideal Temperature	Expert Tip
White Cotton (Sheets)	60ºC	Necessary to kill mites and whiten.
Colored Cotton (T-shirts)	30ºC - 40ºC	More heat fades dark colors.
Synthetics (Polyester)	30ºC - 40ºC	Heat sets wrinkles permanently.
Wool and Silk	Cold (20ºC)	Any heat shrinks them. Use specific program.
Sportswear (Technical)	30ºC	Heat damages elastane and breathability.
Jeans (Denim)	30ºC	Wash inside out to not lose indigo.

Detail of clothing label indicating maximum temperature of 40 degrees

The Dilemma: Hygiene vs. Care

Here is the crux of the matter. We want clean and disinfected clothes (which asks for 60ºC), but we also want them to last for years (which asks for 30ºC). How do we balance it?

My technical advice:

Reserve 60ºC exclusively for what touches your skin directly and accumulates moisture: towels, sheets, cotton underwear, and kitchen cloths. These fabrics are usually resistant and hygiene is a priority.

For everything else (pants, sweaters, shirts, blouses), stick to 30ºC or 40ºC and use a good detergent. Modern detergents have enzymes that clean perfectly at low temperatures. Raising the degrees will only waste electricity and wear out the garment.

Common Mistakes I See in the Workshop

Washing towels at 30ºC always: They come out smelling musty because bacteria don't die. At least once a month, give them a "heat blast" at 60ºC.
Mixing fabrics: Putting a cotton t-shirt with a wool sweater at 40ºC. The t-shirt will come out fine, the sweater will be ruined.
Ignoring the label: It seems obvious, but the label rules. If it says "maximum 30ºC," there's a reason. If you have doubts, check our guide to washing symbols.

Let Professionals Choose for You

At LaColada Self-Service Laundry Ponferrada, our Miele machines have pre-configured programs with the exact temperature, water level, and drum movement for each type of load. You don't have to guess: just choose "Wool," "Sheets," or "Color," and the machine will do the rest with surgical precision.

Come wash safely