Never Wash These 10 Items in Hot Water—Here’s Why
10 items you should never wash in hot water to prevent damage and maintain longevity.
Wool sweaters – shrinks instantly
Silk – loses shine and weakens
Lingerie & bras – elastic damage
Elastic waistbands – sag and stretch
Denim jeans – fades and shrinks
Dark/bright clothes – color bleeding
Printed designs – cracking and peeling
Protein-based stains – cooked permanently
Faux leather – warping and cracking
Cashmere – felts and shrinks
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Hot water is often seen as the ultimate cleaning solution—it dissolves oils, kills germs, and helps remove stubborn stains. But when it comes to laundry and home care, hot water can actually destroy certain fabrics, shrink delicate items, set stains permanently, or strip materials of their essential oils and shape.
If you want your clothes and household items to last longer, avoid damage, and maintain their look and feel, here are 10 items you should never wash in hot water—and the science behind why.
1. Wool Sweaters
Wool contains natural fibers held together by tiny scales. Hot water makes these scales clamp down, causing the fibers to shrink dramatically. The result? A sweater that could fit a toddler.
Bottom line: Always wash wool in cold water or use a gentle “wool cycle.”
2. Silk Clothing
Silk is protein-based and extremely sensitive to heat. Hot water can weaken its structure, fade dyes, and cause texture changes that leave the fabric rough instead of smooth.
Bottom line: Hand-wash silk in cold water only.
3. Lingerie and Delicate Bras
Elastic and lace do not tolerate heat. Hot water breaks down stretchy fibers, warps underwire casings, and reduces the lifespan of delicate bras.
Bottom line: Use cold water and a lingerie bag.
4. Clothes With Elastic Waistbands
Leggings, gym shorts, pajamas, and underwear often contain elastane or spandex. Hot water weakens elasticity, causing sagging, stretching, and quicker wear-and-tear.
Bottom line: Cold water keeps elastic fibers intact for much longer.
5. Denim Jeans
Hot water fades dyes, shrinks denim, and accelerates fiber breakdown—especially in stretch jeans.
Bottom line: Wash denim in cold water to preserve color and shape.
6. Dark or Bright-Colored Clothes
Heat opens fibers and forces dye out, causing colors to bleed or fade prematurely.
Bottom line: Cold water is essential for maintaining vibrant color.
7. Clothes With Printed Designs
Graphic tees and hoodies with printed logos can crack, peel, or fade when exposed to heat.
Bottom line: Cold water protects prints from lifting off.
8. Items With Protein-Based Stains
Blood, sweat, vomit, dairy, egg, or meat stains become permanent with hot water. Heat cooks protein and binds it deeper into the fibers.
Bottom line: Always rinse protein stains in cold water first.
9. Faux Leather or PU Items
Hot water softens synthetic leather, causes cracking, and can warp glued layers.
Bottom line: Spot-clean faux leather only—never machine-wash with heat.
10. Cashmere Items
Cashmere reacts to heat much like wool—it shrinks instantly and loses its softness. Even warm water is risky.
Bottom line: Wash cashmere in cold water with a gentle cleanser and minimal agitation.
Why Hot Water Causes So Much Damage
Hot water affects materials in three main ways:
1. It shrinks natural fibers
Wool, cotton, and cashmere tighten when exposed to heat.
2. It weakens elastics and synthetics
Spandex and polyester break down more quickly.
3. It pushes color out of fabric
Dye molecules loosen in heat, leading to fading.
4. It “sets” certain stains permanently
Protein-based stains become cooked into fibers.