How to Choose the Right Wash Cycle When Washing your Clothes

Choosing the right wash cycle prevents unnecessary wear on clothes.

There are usually three basic wash cycle settings on a washing machine, although some machines may have more. Choosing the proper wash cycle helps your clothes get clean, while at the same time, preserving the fabric from unnecessary strain. The cycles vary in total length of time of the cycle and also may vary according to speed of agitation and spin cycle. Some machines have more than one dial for adjusting settings, allowing you to choose a heavy load cycle, for example, plus a speed for spinning.

Instructions

1. Sort clothes according to fabric and color. Pre-soak heavily soiled clothing in warm or cold water with detergent before washing. Some machines have a pre-soak setting. For machines that do not have this feature, allow the wash basin to fill up with water while the clothes are in it, and shut it off before it starts to agitate.

2. Set your machine to the regular/normal setting for jeans, t-shirts, towels and similar sturdy, cotton items. If the items are heavily soiled, choose the longer, super-wash cycle, if your machine has this setting. Fast agitation and a fast spin cycle are usually safe for towels, jeans and other heavy cottons.

3. Wash delicate fabrics, such as undergarments, together using the delicate cycle, if your machine has this as a setting. Otherwise, use the permanent press cycle on your washing machine. The delicate and permanent press cycles are typically the shortest cycles, with low-speed spinning.

4. Choose the permanent press or delicate cycle for polyester or other manmade materials prone to wrinkling.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check the care labels on the materials, if available, and follow instructions regarding temperature of the wash water.

• Hot water shrinks some fabrics, can set stains, such as blood stains, but may be recommended for some heavily soiled items or for sanitizing some items, such as undergarments, socks and towels.

• For extra care of bras and other delicate undergarments, place them in a mesh bag before laundering.

References

• LaundryGoddess.com: Wash Clothes
• New Mexico State University; Getting Clothes Clean; Susan Wright