Laundry settings by item

Choose the item you are washing for cycle, temperature, spin, dryer, and care-label caveats.

Wash most sheets on normal with warm water, then dry on low or medium heat unless the care label says otherwise.

Normal Warm water for sturdy cotton, cold for dark colors or delicate fabrics Low to medium heat

Wash towels on normal or heavy duty with warm water, then dry on medium/high heat unless the care label says otherwise.

Normal or heavy duty Warm water, or hot for white cotton towels if the label allows Medium to high heat for cotton, low heat for microfiber

a comforter

Wash a machine-washable comforter on bulky/bedding or gentle with cold or warm water, then dry low or air dry until fully dry.

Bulky, bedding, or gentle Cold or warm water Low heat, air fluff, or air dry

blankets

Wash most blankets in cold water on gentle or bulky, then dry on low heat or air dry unless the care label says otherwise.

Gentle, bulky, or normal depending on fabric Cold water for most blankets Low heat or air dry

jeans

Wash jeans inside out in cold water, usually on normal or delicate, then air dry or tumble dry low.

Normal or delicate Cold water Low heat or air dry

pillows

Wash machine-washable pillows on gentle or bulky with warm or cold water, then dry low or air dry until the fill is fully dry.

Gentle or bulky Warm or cold water Low heat or air dry until completely dry

shoes and sneakers

Wash only machine-washable shoes on delicate with cold water and low spin, then air dry them.

Delicate or gentle Cold water Air dry

baby clothes

Wash most baby clothes on normal or delicate with warm water, then dry on low or medium heat unless the care label says otherwise.

Normal or delicate Warm water, or cold for colors and delicate garments Low or medium heat

white clothes

Wash sturdy white clothes on normal with warm or hot water if the label allows, then dry on medium heat or lower for synthetics.

Normal Warm or hot water if the care label allows Medium heat, or low heat for synthetics and elastics

bedding

Wash bedding by item: normal for sheets, bulky or bedding for comforters, gentle for delicate fabrics, and dry on low or medium heat.

Normal, bulky, or gentle depending on item Warm for sturdy cotton, cold for colors or delicate fabrics Low or medium heat; bulky or bedding cycle for large items if available

a mattress protector

Wash most waterproof mattress protectors on normal or gentle with warm or cold water, then tumble dry on low heat or air dry — high heat can damage the waterproof layer.

Normal or gentle Warm or cold water Low heat or air dry; air dry vinyl-backed protectors

bath mats

Wash machine-washable bath mats on normal or gentle with warm or cold water, then dry low or air dry.

Normal or gentle Warm or cold water Low heat or air dry

small rugs

Wash only machine-washable small rugs on gentle or bulky with cold water, then air dry or tumble dry low if the label allows.

Gentle or bulky Cold water Air dry or low heat if the label allows