What All Your Washing Machine’s Settings Mean—and Which Ones to Use

Before twisting your washing machine’s dial to “normal” and pushing the “start” button, stop and think for a moment. Have you ever used any of the other settings on your washer? These days, even the most basic machines offer multiple settings to tackle specific laundry challenges. Choosing the best washing machine settings for your laundering tasks or fabric types can improve the appliance’s overall performance and save on energy, water, and cash.

Your first order of business is to read the manufacturer’s instructions so you know which settings your washing machine has. Your next task? Start taking advantage of them.

Common Washer Settings

Selecting the right setting can improve washer performance and energy or water use. Because washing machine settings address issues like heavy soil or delicate fabrics, your clothes will get cleaner and last longer when you . When in doubt, check a garment’s care tag for cycle symbols or instructions and your washing machine brand’s instructions for cycle names and uses.  

Normal Cycle

Use of the normal wash setting is common, since this go-to cycle is ideal for cotton and most fabrics, linens, and other items with normal soiling. The normal or regular cycle typically uses cold or warm water and high spin speeds, so you might avoid adding delicate items like lace and lingerie. The normal cycle time typically runs about 50 to 60 minutes.

Whites

The white cycle is partly designed for adding chlorine bleach. As a result, the cycle uses a longer wash time and an extra rinse cycle, as well as a faster spin speed to remove bleach residue. Hot water also works best in the whites cycle, so never use the whites setting to launder bright colors or fabrics that are prone to shrinkage. A typical cycle for whites runs about 65 minutes, depending on options like presoaking and number of rinses.

Colors

Colorful clothes, especially those with darks and reds, are ideal for a washing machine color setting. The cycle pairs with cool water to prevent fading, but still relies on a fast spin cycle to remove water. Avoid adding items like bath mats or underwear to this cold-water cycle. A typical color cycle lasts about 45 minutes. 

Rinse and Spin

Items like swimsuits and jackets might not need a full wash with detergent; they are best run through the rinse and spin cycle . It combines a rinse with a high-speed spin; the water temperature is generally cold or warm. Rinse and spin also works well for items that have retained excess detergent or fabric softener, or as an added cycle for items washed in bleach. Cycle time is about 15 to 20 minutes.

Bulky 

This setting usually is best for towels, some jackets, and bedding like comforters. Bulky cycles also might be listed as towel or bedding settings, and default to a higher water level before agitating items. If you want to conserve water, avoid using the bulky setting for regular clothing, and do not place items that are too large inside a standard washer. The bulky cycle generally uses warm water and a low spin speed to keep heavy items balanced in the washer. Cycle time is typically 55 minutes or an hour.

Permanent Press (Wrinkle Control)

The permanent press cycle has a gentle wash and slower spin that helps prevent wrinkles in clothing. Combine the gentle action with warm water and it might even release existing wrinkles. Some washing machine brands might label the cycle as activewear, since it best cleans synthetic and blended fabrics like polyester and rayon, but won’t work as well for heavier items like denim jeans. The cycle typically lasts about 45 minutes.

Delicates

Many clothing labels recommend the delicate cycle for blouses, silk, lace, and lingerie, or clothing with washable embellishments like sequins or embroidery. The cycle combines cold water with gentle agitation and a slow spin to protect the fragile fabrics. The gentle spin also reduces wrinkling, a plus for fabrics that can’t take a hot iron. Avoid using this cycle on sheets, towels, outdoor work clothes like sweatpants, or heavily soiled items. Expect the delicate cycle to take 45 to 50 minutes.

Specialized Washer Settings

In addition to options for common cycles like extra rinse or presoaking, many washing machines include specialized settings that can save time or boost cleaning power.

Quick Wash

Quick wash is a way to freshen up a few lightly soiled garments that might not need a full wash cycle. Also known on some machines as “wash and go,” this warm-water setting has a short wash time and an extra-high-speed spin cycle to clean small loads of lightly soiled items. This is not a good option for heavily soiled items, bulky towels, or bedding. A quick wash cycle typically takes about 30 minutes and is an energy-efficient option.

Heavy Duty 

Sometimes called Power Wash, heavy duty on a washing machine means the cycle is designed for seriously soiled clothing like sports uniforms, or items covered in mud or grease. It does this with extra wash action, warm-to-hot water, and high spin speeds. Avoid adding delicate fabrics or colors that might bleed in hot water to the heavy duty cycle. Expect a run time of 1 to 2 hours, depending on whether you add options like presoaking or an extra rinse. This function uses more water than for a normal setting.

Sanitize

Similar to the whites cycle, the sanitize setting is best for heavily soiled or bacteria-laden items. It uses high water temperatures and a long wash time. Choose the sanitize setting to wash clothing and linens used by someone who is ill, or for items like cloth diapers or gym towels. You might also occasionally run sheets, pillowcases, and bathroom towels through a sanitize cycle to eliminate allergens. Since the setting uses hot water, avoid adding items prone to fading and don’t use it for everyday cleaning, since it takes between 1 and 2 hours to complete and uses more water than normal cycles. 

Washer Maintenance Settings

Many washers have settings that help keep the machine clean with the push of a button or to empty a washer that is not draining. 

Drain and Spin

When a washing machine is out of balance, it will shake loudly. If you fail to stop the washer’s shaking and the cycle continues, you might later open the washing machine door to find standing water or still-soaking-wet towels. When this happens, select drain and spin, which empties and agitates the washer. It’s also the best way to drain a washer that has stopped midcycle. First, the machine pumps the water out of the drum, and then it spins at a high speed to remove water from the items inside. The cycle usually takes only 5 or 6 minutes to complete. 

Clean Washer

If clothes come out smelly or you notice an odor from your washing machine, it’s past time to run the Clean Washer (Self-Clean) cycle if your model has this setting. The machine will load hot water and use extra agitation to remove residue. Look for commercial cleaners, typically tablets you drop right into the washer. If possible, run this cycle about once a month or every 30 loads. Self-cleaning cycles can take up to 90 minutes to complete. You also can clean a washing machine with normal hot-water cycles if your machine is not equipped with a preset cleaning function. 

Washing Machine Temperatures 

Today’s efficient detergents and high-efficiency washing machines can clean most laundry with cold water. Still, some tasks call for warm and hot washing cycles, which are effective when used properly. Hot water is especially good for heavily soiled, germy, or grease-stained items. Using the proper water temperature also can help save energy and money. 

According to the Energy Star program, heating water consumes about 90 percent of the energy needed for washing machine operation, and switching from a hot to cold cycle cuts that energy use while adequately cleaning most laundry. It’s also important to sort clothes properly before selecting a water temperature to save energy and avoid bleeding colors in hot water or poorly cleaning heavily soiled items in cold. 

Hot

The hot-water setting typically is used to sanitize heavily soiled laundry like cloth diapers, athletic wear, and linens; hot water also can remove grease and oil stains. Whites and durable items can handle the hot water, but some fabrics will shrink, fade, or wear out more quickly from regular hot washes. A downside to hot water washing is that it uses the most energy. 

Warm

The warm-water setting works well for fabrics made of both natural fibers like cotton and synthetic fabrics like polyester. Warm water can adequately clean most laundry with moderate amounts of soil, and it cleans shirts, pants, jeans, sheets, towels, and table linens well. However, this setting does not reach high enough temperatures to kill bacteria, and it is warm enough to potentially fade bright colors, so be sure to check garment labels.

Cold

Cold water should be the go-to laundry setting for regular fabrics, as well as for dark and bright colors that might fade or cause dye to bleed onto other items, along with any prone to shrinking. Cold water also is ideal for delicate clothes and special fabrics, including wool and silk. It is best for removing stains like blood, dairy, and other protein-based soil before the stains set. Never wash cleaning rags or dusters, kitchen towels, or any item that might contain fecal matter in cold wash; it will not rid the items of bacteria.

Cool

The cool water setting adds slightly more warm water at the beginning of  a cycle to help dissolve detergents and remove soil, but is not warm enough to fade colors. Use this water temperature similarly to cold water, though it might remove soil better from dirtier items. Also avoid adding items that contain bacteria, fecal matter, or heavy soil.

FAQ

Q. What washing machine setting is best for jeans?

Although denim appears to be tough, the fabric can shrink and fade. Opt for the delicate or gentle cycle and cold water when possible. Jeans will get cleaner if you avoid overloading the machine. Wash jeans separately from other clothing if you can, or at least turn the jeans inside out and button them up to avoid damaging other clothes and to maintain the pants’ shape.

Q. What is the best setting to wash all clothes?

The best setting for most everyday laundry is the normal or regular cycle with cold water. This is especially true if you are washing mixed loads with light to medium soiling and multiple colors. Using cold water helps clothes last longer and normal or gentle settings typically are among the most energy-efficient cycles, aside from quick washes.

Q. What is the best setting for bedding?

The best setting for bedding can vary depending on the fabric type, so always check the label for laundering instructions. In general, warm water works well for polyester blends and hot water can clean cotton sheets thoroughly, ridding them of many germs and dust mites. However, bamboo sheets will shrink in hot water. For duvet covers and similar items, choose a gentle cycle and cold water unless the tag says otherwise. Wash bulky comforters in cold water to avoid fading and add an extra rinse or opt for the bedding or bulky setting to ensure enough water fills the washer.

 

Old Houses AREN’T Scary: What We’ve Learned and Loved About Them

From crown molding and built-ins to creaky floors and drafty windows, old houses are full of charm and challenges. So we’re celebrating all the things that make old homes worth loving, living in, and fixing up. Learn about historic house styles; find practical advice for maintaining your old home; and discover quirky, forgotten features you simply won’t find in new builds.

Learn More