The temperature at which white laundry can be washed depends on the material. Lightly or normally soiled white laundry gets clean at 30 or 40 degrees.
Bed linen, towels and other textiles made of cotton or linen can usually be washed at a higher temperature of 60 degrees. At this temperature, when using a heavy-duty detergent, the laundry is additionally bleached and most germs are killed. The Washing Forum recommends the following washing temperatures regardless of white or colored laundry, depending on the degree of soiling.