When washing white clothes, the right temperature will depend on what the garment is made of and how dirty it is. If it is made of cotton, you can use warm water of about 90°F to 110°F to remove light dirt and odors. However, if the garment is heavily soiled and durable, you may use hot water (if the label says its ok). For delicate fabrics like silk or satin with heavy soiling, its best to pretreat the stain and then wash with cold water.