'I'm a laundry expert - stop using hot water to clean these 5 clothes stains'

Many people instinctively reach for the hot water setting when doing laundry, thinking it'll clean better and lift stubborn stains. But in some cases, it could do the opposite, and make certain stains much harder to remove. While hot water can help dissolve detergents, kill bacteria, and make fabrics feel cleaner, it's not always the best option for stained clothes.

With some marks, especially ones caused by food, grass or sweat, heat can actually set the stain deeper into the fibres. This means a stain that could've been removed easily with the right approach might end up permanent. It all comes down to knowing which stains respond better to cold water.

To help avoid laundry disasters, one expert has revealed the five types of stains you should never treat with hot water.

Jackie Ashley, the co-founder of Ashley & Co. Everyday Launder, told Martha Stewart Magazine that using hot water on the wrong stain can make it harder to clean.

She said: "Hot water can cause some stains to set or harden, especially protein-based ones like egg, blood, sweat, grass, and food stains, making them tougher to remove. It can also cause dyes to bleed and spread."

Instead, she recommends a cold rinse and gentle detergent for the stains listed below.

She added: "Cold water first is best for protein-based stains, like dairy, blood, sweat, and many foods.

"Hot water can spread or 'cook' these stains in, making them harder to remove."

Protein-based stains - These include blood, sweat, dairy, eggs, breastmilk and meat juice. Hot water can cause these to bind to the fabric, making them tougher to lift.

Grass and plant-based stains - Grass, mud and soil behave like protein stains under heat. Cold water helps stop the stain spreading, and if dealing with mud, let it dry fully before brushing off the excess.

Inks and paints - Oil-based inks and paints can bleed when exposed to hot water. Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric to push the pigment out and avoid spreading.

Wine and beverages with tannins - Red wine and tea are notoriously hard to remove, and heat locks in the natural tannins, making stains even more difficult to clean.

Fruit stains - Foods like tomatoes and berries contain natural dyes that hot water can permanently set into fabric. Cold water and gentle stain removers like vinegar or dish soap work best.