Your Complete Guide to Washing Machine Settings And How to Use Them

If you aren't using your washing machine's settings correctly, it can lead to your laundry getting damaged, your energy bill being higher than necessary and your appliance not lasting as long as it should. That's why it's important to familiarise yourself with your washing machine's settings and cycles and make sure you're using them correctly.

Our complete guide to washing machine settings and how to use them below will tell you everything you need to know about using your appliance in a time-saving, energy-efficient and cost-effective manner.

Let's get stuck in! To learn how to use your washing machine's settings and cycles and make the most out of your appliance, watch the video or follow our step by step guide below.

First, let's look at washing machine cycles. Washing machines come with a selection of cycles and programmes, so it's important to know which ones are most suitable for certain types of clothing and garments. Being familiar with washing machine cycles will help you wash your laundry safely without causing any damage.

One of the most commonly used cycles is the cotton cycle. This is best suited for cleaning cotton garments or clothes that require a stronger wash to remove stains. This includes items such as sheets, towels, whites, socks and any other heavily-soiled garments. This cycle should be used with a high spin setting to speed up the drying time of heavier items.

The synthetic cycle should be used for the everyday washing of synthetic or blended materials that are moderately soiled or dirty. This includes polyester sportswear, jeans and jumpers. This setting is ideal for items that need a slightly gentler wash and should be used on a lower spin speed.

The delicate cycle provides a low-agitation wash that is best suited for cleaning more delicate or fragile laundry. This cycle provides a lower spin speed and is most suitable for materials such as silk, wool, lingerie, delicate knitwear and blouses.

The hand wash cycle should be used for items that have 'hand wash only' on the care label. It is a low-agitation cycle that should be used at a low spin speed to prevent your garments from being stretched or damaged. This cycle is best suited for materials like silk, cotton, delicate linens, thin wool or items with sequins or beads.

The last of the cycles to cover is the quick wash. This cycle is ideal if you're in a rush, as many machines can complete a quick wash cycle within half an hour. The cycle for this wash is sped up and also uses a high-speed spin to quicken the drying time. However, the quick wash setting is only recommended for lightly soiled clothing and is not suitable for delicate fabrics.

Sometimes, the spin speed on your washing is determined by which cycle you use. If you have to manually set the speed on your washing machine, however, there are a few things you should know.

The spin speed is measured in RPM (revolutions per minute) which is the number of times the drum rotates in one minute. Higher spin speeds are generally more suitable for deeper cleaning and stain removal. The speed will also increase the drying time, thus lessening the amount of time your clothes spend in the tumble dryer and saving energy. Lower spin speeds provide less agitation, so are better for fabric care and will prevent your delicates from getting too creased. However, lower spin speeds also have less cleaning and stain-removal power.

Many washing machine cycles will also allow you to choose the temperature along with the speed setting. Choosing the correct temperature is very important for making sure your laundry doesn't shrink or get damaged during a cycle. Care labels generally include the highest temperature setting that should be used on an item, but it's still very helpful to be familiar with temperature settings nonetheless.

Washes of 60°C or above are best for removing tough stains and high levels of bacteria. Warm washes of around 40°C are best for items that come into close contact with the body such as underwear. Cold washes, which range from 15°C to 30°C, should be used for more lightly to moderately soiled items. Washing at lower temperatures also helps to protect brightly coloured clothing and garments from fading or dyeing other items.

And there you have it! All you need to know about how to use your washing machine's cycles and settings. Hopefully, you should now feel confident using your appliance and its many features.

However, there's more to making sure your washing machine is functioning optimally than simply using the right settings. You should also make sure you're keeping it clean so it can continue to do its job and wash your laundry properly. If your washing machine is emitting bad smells or seems like it could do with a clean, head over to our article on how to clean a smelly washing machine to learn how to get it spick and span once more.

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