Can your washing machine do a warm wash if it's connected to cold water?

If your new washing machine has been delivered with a cold water hose only, or you're wondering whether your washer can do warm washes if it’s only connected to cold water, the answer is yes - in most cases.

This article looks at how front loaders with different inlets can achieve warm wash cycles, as well as considerations for top loading washers. So, let's look at the various options to see how your washing machine can deliver a warm wash even if it’s only connected to a cold water hose.

There are a few variations among front loaders.

Most front loading washing machines have a single cold water inlet hose, which is connected exclusively to the cold water supply. 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.

When a warm water wash is selected on a front loading cold fill washing machine, cold water flows through the detergent dispenser, blending with the detergent before entering the wash bowl. Once the water and detergent mixture is in the wash bowl, the system starts the wash cycle while simultaneously using its inbuilt heating element to raise the water temperature to the selected level.

While front loading washing machines with a single cold water inlet are more common, there are also models available with dual hot and cold water inlets that also have built in heating elements. This gives you the option of using either the hot water supply directly from your home's hot water system or, if no such connection is available, the machine's internal water heater.

This flexibility is particularly useful when hot water is being used elsewhere in your home, such as in the bathroom. By opting to use the internal heating element, you can make sure your washer’s water demands won't reduce the hot water reaching the shower, because when that happens, the whole street will know about it.

Front loading washing machines with dual hot and cold water inlets and no inbuilt heating element are relatively uncommon in Australia. However, the models that do exist rely on the hot water inlet to achieve warm or hot wash cycles.

If you have a dual inlet washer without inbuilt heating elements, and a temperamental home hot water system, there’s a chance your machine won’t reach the wash temperature you select. In such cases, the machine will typically detect this, and adjust the wash cycle to do the laundry at a colder temperature. Some machines may display a warning or error message if the water temperature is not within the expected range, while others will adjust the cycle without notification.

Unlike front loaders, top loading washing machines don’t have inbuilt heating elements. Most top loaders, and all models available through Appliances Online, feature dual inlet hoses and connect to your home’s hot water supply. Top loaders use a larger amount of water than front loaders, which rely on a tumbling action and gravity to wash clothes in a smaller volume of water. In top loaders, an agitator rather than gravity provides the washing motion, and the entire wash drum is filled with 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.

Australians favoured top loading washing machines until relatively recently, but the more energy efficient operation of front loaders, as well as the fact that they use less water, are more compact and are gentler on fabrics, has seen the balance shift in favour of front loaders for many households. For some people though, mobility, shorter wash times or other issues will still make top loaders the preferred choice. If you’re unsure which style to go for, get a quick rundown of both here.