Washing Machine Settings: What They Mean and When to Use Each One

Washing your clothes seems simple – you go to your washing machine, throw clothes in, a bit of soap, slam it shut, spin the dial, and let it go. And that’s it, right?

Well, not really.

While it is a lot easier to wash our clothes nowadays, especially when you consider we don’t need to break out the washboard and lye, there is a lot more to your washing machine than just tossing clothes in and letting it go to town. In fact, all those settings on your machine actually mean more than you might think. And, yes, they’re actually useful. Understanding the different settings on your washing machine can extend the life of your clothes and your machine. Here’s a breakdown of some of the more common washing machines and when you should be using them.

Normal / Regular

The “normal” setting is probably the one that, let’s be honest, most people use the most. It uses high agitation (using the middle post to swish your clothes around and rub the stains out) and a bit of a longer cycle to clean the typical, more durable fabrics like your cotton, polyester, and blends. You should be using this cycle for things like t-shirts, jeans, socks, and towels, but avoid delicate fabrics. Doing so might cause your nicer pieces to get some serious wear and tear.

Delicate / Gentle

When compared to the “normal” setting, this one uses a slower spin and less agitation, making it a much better cycle for fragile fabrics like lace, silk, or fine-knitted items. It’s also the best setting for any item labeled “hand wash” on their care tags.

Heavy Duty

If you’ve got a serious stain, then this setting is the one to get the job done. It uses high agitation and much longer wash times to get rid of stubborn stains. It is best used on work clothes, sports uniforms, or larger loads of towels or bedding – things that can stand up to serious scrubbing.

Permanent Press

Got something that doesn’t need a ton of cleaning but could stand to lose a wrinkle or two? Permanent press has got you covered. It uses warm water, a slow spin, and a cool-down rinse to help prevent creasing. It is perfect for all those synthetic fibers and clothes you want to avoid ironing.

Quick Wash

In a real hurry? The quick wash cycle gets the job done pretty quickly, usually within 15-30 minutes. While it can be pretty handy in a pinch, you don’t want to use it for large loads or anything that is heavily soiled, as it doesn’t really offer a deep clean.

Rinse and Spin

This setting skips the whole detergent bit and mainly focuses on rinsing and spinning clothes. This is usually reserved for times when your clothes need just a quick freshening up or if you need to rinse hand-washed items. I’ve also used it when I’ve used a bit too much detergent and need an extra rinse.

Bulky / Bedding

When it comes to washing larger items, such as comforters, pillows, or blankets, then the bulky setting should be your go-to. It uses more water and slower spin cycles to help make sure that everything gets well-cleaned without tangling. After all, we’ve all had the time when our washer got unbalanced from a heavy load and started thunking around – this cycle should help stop that.

Eco-Mode

Looking to save a little bit of energy? This environmentally friendly cycle uses a lot less water and lower temperatures to clean up your clothes. And, yes, while it might save on utility bills, it isn’t best for really dirty clothes — plus it can take longer to finish a full wash.