Bathing during the seven days with hot water and soap due to dirt
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Question
If a person has become dirty and is permitted to wash during the days of mourning, is it allowed to wash with hot water, or only with cold water? And is it permitted to use soap?
Answer
If the dirt can be removed with cold water, one should wash with cold water. However, if the filth does not come off with cold water, one may wash with hot water. If soap is needed, one may be lenient even with soap. The intention should not be for the pleasure of bathing, but for the removal of the dirt.
Source
The language of the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Laws of Mourning, Siman 381, Seif 1: "If he was dirty with mud and excrement, he washes as usual and does not worry." Some have written that if cold water is as effective as hot water, one does not need to insist on cold, and this is derived from the language of the Shulchan Aruch that he washes as usual. However, in Da'at Kedoshim, it was concluded that it is preferable with cold water, and if hot water is needed for the removal of dirt, one may be lenient.
And even with soap, if needed, it is permitted. As written in the Shulchan Aruch there, Seif 3, that it is permitted to rub in order to remove the dirt.
And the Mishnah Berurah wrote, Siman 613, Seif Katan 1: "And when washing due to dirt, the intention should be not for the pleasure of bathing, but only for the removal of the dirt."