Do I connect the washing machine to hot or cold water?

Author: Vanessa Runolfsson  |  Last update: Saturday, September 27, 2025

If connected to a hot water tap, the hose can soften, leading to internal flooding and damage to the machine - so make sure it's connected to cold water only! Despite the absence of a hot water connection, these machines can still perform warm wash cycles thanks to an internal element that can heat water independently.

Do I have to hook up hot water to my washer?

Modern washing machines generally do not require a hot water supply. Many new models are designed to heat water internally, allowing them to effectively clean clothes using cold water. This feature is beneficial for energy efficiency, as washing in cold water consumes less energy compared to heating water.

Which side of the washer hookup is hot and cold?

Cold on the right and Hot on the left.

Should I use hot or cold water in washer?

Not only are modern washers designed for cold water, but many detergents have enzymes that can start to work in temperatures as low as 60℉, and cold-water detergent also enhances results. Cold water is fine for most clothes and other items that you can safely put in the washing machine.

Do washing machines need a hot water tap?

Most front loaders have a heater that allows a connection to cold water only while still giving you the option of warm or hot washes. Top loaders generally don't have a heater, so need a connection to both hot and cold water taps.

How to shut off the hot and cold water valves to your washing machine

Do I connect my washing machine to the hot or cold?

WHICH WATER SUPPLY SHOULD I CONNECT MY WASHING MACHINE TO? It is possible to connect your appliance to either but we strongly advise connecting your machine to a cold water feed. This will ensure that the machine works more efficiently and you do not waste hot water during cycles such as the rinse stage.

Do you need hot water for washing up?

Research has shown that the temperature of the water doesn't really make a difference.” So a good scrub is more important than the water temperature. And research has shown that using washing up liquid to kill bacteria is important.

Can you use a washer with just cold water?

While top loaders with only cold water inlets do exist, they are relatively uncommon and only really suitable for households that have no intention of ever using hot water wash cycles, or prefer a top loader over a front loader but do not have a hot water connection.

Should dishwasher be connected to hot or cold water?

Always make sure the Dishwasher is connected to the hot water line, not the cold water line. A Dishwasher cannot be connected to a cold water supply line because the Dishwasher is not able to heat cold water to the required 120 degrees Fahrenheit temperature.

What is hot water used for in a washing machine?

Water Temperature: The temperature of the water significantly impacts cleaning effectiveness. Hot water excels at cleaning heavily soiled items but may damage delicate fabrics. Conversely, cold water is suitable for colors and most fabrics but may struggle to remove dirt and stains.

Are hot and cold water hoses the same?

Red and Blue Markings

These are color codes to distinguish between hot and cold water connections for inlet hoses. Red is for hot, and blue is for cold. This way, you can quickly figure out which hose goes where to avoid any mix-ups.

Is cold or tap cold colder on a washing machine?

We tested both cold and tap cold settings in January in Colorado and found that neither setting reached the ideal 60-degree temperature during the wash. The cold cycle reached 58.6 degrees while the tap cold cycle was only 54.3 degrees.

Are washing machines cold feed only?

Cold-fill washing machines have been the only ones available, which means that you have to use electricity to heat the water from cold – even if your home already has a tank of hot water sitting waiting in the airing cupboard, or a gas-fired combi boiler sitting in the same utility room as the machine.

Which washer hookup is hot water?

The Hot and Cold water line connections are on the back of a washer. These Hot and Cold connections are designated on the washer as follows: 1995 and newer - Hook up the Hot to the connection that has a “H” next to it and hook up the Cold to the connection that has a “C” next to it.

Does automatic washing machine need hot water?

According to Consumer Reports, you no longer need to use hot water to get clothes clean with regular wash cycles. This is because modern washing machines are designed to use less water and they are better at cleaning your clothes than the washing machines from a decade ago.

Do washing machines heat their own water?

Most modern washing machines have a built-in heating element that can heat cold water during the wash cycle. This means that you can still wash your clothes using warm or hot water without relying on a functioning boiler. Yes, washing clothes with cold water can be effective in many cases.

What side is hot water on?

Ever wondered which side the hot water tap should be on? Well wonder no more. The hot water tap is on the left and the cold tap on the right. This rule applies to mixer taps as well with the handle positioned to the left for hot and right for cold water.

Do you use hot or cold water in a garbage disposal?

Only use cold water when grinding your garbage disposal. Hot water may cause fats to congeal. When congealed, fats and oils can stick to the blades of your disposal and cause the system to work harder than necessary, impacting the motor. You can run hot water in the sink after you have completed the grinding process.

Do I need to connect hot water to my washing machine?

Which water feed should the appliance be connected to, hot or cold? All of our washing machines require a cold fill connection only. If a hot water connection is used, it can cause the appliance to malfunction, could damage the appliance and void the warranty.

Can you disconnect hot water from a washing machine?

This will drain the water from the tub to the drain-out line. Not an option – if you aren't able to run the washing machine then you can disconnect the cold and hot water hoses from the machine, as well as the drain hose, and use your bucket to catch the excess water.

Do I need to connect hot water to a Samsung washing machine?

No, the unit is designed for cold water only. The washing machine has an internal heater that will automatically heats up the water depending on the wash cycle that has been selected.

Why do you put hot water in a washing machine?

Hot water is generally the most powerful option for deep cleaning everyday fabrics. It should only be used on items that are tagged as hot water-washable, like cottons or other durable fabrics. Be sure to check for manufacturer recommendations before washing.

Does hot water or cold water dry faster?

The water was brought to a boil (thermal energy) so the molecules were close to the evaporation point (moving quickly). Hot water evaporates faster than cool water.

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