If an item of clothing or a belonging is dirty, chucking it in the washing machine on a hot wash (meaning above 130 degrees Fahrenheit) is a common solution, but it can also result in shrunken, faded or damaged items.
Of course, hot washes are great for killing bacteria and sanitizing items that need a more thorough clean, but a lot of your belongings are better off in a cooler wash, at around 86°F to 104°F, or simply being hand washed in cold water.
