But what if you’re a “cold water only” sort of person? You know, the one who saves energy and claims it keeps colors brighter? Well, hold your horses. During a boil water advisory, cold water from the tap hasn’t been treated to kill the bad guys, so it’s like washing your clothes in a muddy puddle. If you can’t stand the heat, you’ll need to either skip the wash or wait until the advisory lifts.
Imagine your favorite white shirt meeting unboiled water—it’s a recipe for a sad, gray mystery stain. Instead of risking it, toss that load into a basket and declare it “vintage laundry.” You can also use the dishwasher for clothes? No, please don’t. That’s a different kind of disaster involving sparkly plates and shrinking sweaters. Stick to the hot cycle or a trip to the laundromat if you’re desperate.
When Your Machine is a Drama Queen
Now, let’s talk about those fancy washing machines that auto-detect water temperature. Some models, especially high-efficiency ones, might decide on their own to use a mix of hot and cold, even when you select “hot.” If you’re unsure, touch the water mid-cycle with a quick, brave finger—it should feel like a hot bath, not a lukewarm lake. If it’s lukewarm, you’re basically giving your clothes a handshake with microbes.
I once ignored this advice during a local advisory and washed a batch of towels on “warm.” They came out smelling like a swamp that had gossiped with a gym locker room. I had to re-wash them on the hottest possible setting, which felt like punishing my towels for my own laziness. Learn from my soggy mistake: always double-check the temperature before pressing start.
Boil Water Advisories | City of Hendersonville, NC
And for the love of all that is cozy, do not use the “sanitize” cycle unless you want your clothes to come out smelling like a hospital. That setting is for chemical warfare, not your favorite flannel. The regular hot cycle is your best friend, like a reliable uncle who brings pizza to a disaster.
