Verdicts / Washing in cold
Is washing clothes in cold water worth it?
NOD
Yes, for everyday loads. ENERGY STAR says about 90% of a washer's energy goes to heating water.
The details
ENERGY STAR says about 90% of the energy a clothes washer uses goes to heating the water. Switching normal loads to cold removes most of that.
The fine print: greasy stains and very dirty loads may still need warm water. Use a detergent made for cold water.
Questions
Does cold water get clothes clean?
For everyday loads, yes, especially with a cold-water detergent. Heavy grease may still need warm.
Where does the savings come from?
Heating the water, which ENERGY STAR puts at about 90% of a washer's energy use.
Sources
Last checked October 26, 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us and we'll fix it.
Join The Sunday Nod. One short email every Sunday with the week's verdicts, plus the free Nah List as a welcome gift. Join free + get the Nah List →