Step 7. Select the Proper Wash Cycle
before selecting your cycle, always check the care label first. Aside from your detergent, the speed of agitation and temperature of the water are what get your clothes their cleanest. After you’ve sorted your items by color or fabric type, choosing the right cycle should be easy. Check the table below on speeds and water temperatures to better understand how to wash different clothes for the best results:
Normal/Regular Cycle
Fabric Type: Best for whites, sheets, towels, underwear, socks, and heavily soiled items
Purpose and Speed: Removes stains and dirt; cleans durable fabrics. Uses fast agitation in the wash cycle and a fast spin cycle.
Delicate Cycle
Fabric Type: Best for wool, silk, and any other, fragile garments that say “gentle wash” on the tag
Purpose and Speed: Gently cleans delicate items. Uses slow agitation in wash cycle and a slow rinse cycle.
Permanent Press Cycle
Fabric Type: Best for jeans, many non-cotton items, synthetic fibers such as rayons, knits, polyesters, and acetates
Purpose and Speed: Cleans every-day clothes that wrinkle easily. Uses fast agitation in the wash cycle and a slow spin cycle.
Using the correct water temperature can mean the difference between clean, bright clothes and dingy or still-dirty results. Keep colors from running or bleeding and banish spots and odors by checking the water temperature table before you get started.
Cold Setting
Fabric Type: Dark colors, bright colors that may run or fade, delicate fabrics, lightly soiled fabrics, anything that might shrink
Purpose: Cold water saves the most energy while also being the most gentle on clothing.
Warm Setting
Fabric Type: Synthetic, permanent-press fabrics, towels
Purpose: Good cleaning power for preserving colors without much fading or risk of shrinking.
Hot Setting
Fabric Type: Whites, cotton fabrics, socks, bed sheets, heavily soiled garments, baby clothesPurpose: Hot water removes the toughest stains and gives garments a deep clean.
