The best wash cycles to use on your washing machine for cleaner clothes, sheets and towels
There are so many washing machine cycles to choose from it can be hard to know what to use, leading many of us to use the same one over and over again to the detriment of our clothes, sheets and towels.
Laundry expert Nicole Gibson from Soka Australia told nine.com.au different items can benefit from specific cycles, water temperature and detergent recommendations. But you also need to know what material the garments are made from.
Washing cycles differ by water temperature, spin speed and length, and knowing which is best keeps your clothes in good condition for as long as possible. Getty
“One of the gold standard must-dos of doing laundry is you have to understand the fabric care instructions, that determines your cycle selection … check your fabrics before you ruin a lot of expensive garments,” she said.
Everyday clothes
Clothes you wear day-to-day typically go in a normal wash setting, which is often referred to as a cotton wash.
“There’s enough agitation to remove stains, any stubborn build-up and grime. Generally, it has a high spin cycle and it’s a cold water cycle,” Gibson said.
Another option for clothes that aren’t particularly dirty is the eco wash setting, which saves electricity and water.
However, this cycle can be longer to make up for using less water so if you need an item in a rush, the quick wash setting is recommended instead.
Just check the fabric first, as clothes made from linen and wool require a more delicate approach. Keep reading to find out how.
Towels
Towels can go in the cotton wash cycle, but there’s also the option of a heavy-duty cycle, which has the benefit of a higher spin cycle to help towels dry faster. Some machines also have a towel-specific cycle.
Gibson recommends a minimum water temperature of 40 degrees and considering an extra rinse to remove detergent residue, which can make towels feel crunchy.
It’s important when washing towels not to overfill the machine as they need room to move around and agitate against each other to get clean.
Sheets
The variety of fabric options for sheets means the washing recommendations aren’t one-size fits all.
“The first step with sheets is you’ve got to understand and consider the fabric [they’re made from],” Gibson said.
“Cotton and polyester can go on a normal wash cycle. Linen will need a more delicate to gentle wash cycle and they can have warm water. With linen, the more you wash, the softer they get, but you want to make sure you take care of that linen, and it’s not on a fast spin cycle.
“One of the gold standard must-dos of doing laundry is you have to understand the fabric care instructions." iStock
“With silk, satin and bamboo, once again use a gentle delicate wash, but these fabrics are best with cold water to maintain the fabric integrity and shape.”
Like with towels, overfilling the drum can stop sheets from getting clean.
“That’s when people get their sheets out and there might be patches where there are lots of grimy patches. That’s where the water’s come through and whatever’s touching the drum wall is just collecting all of those oils, that bacteria.”
Delicate clothes
There is usually a delicate cycle setting on washing machines, which is ideal for these types of clothes.
Gibson recommends putting the item in a mesh bag first for extra protection and using a low sud detergent to prevent detergent residue.
“It’s a short wash, it’s at a low spin or sometimes a no-spin cycle is what’s required. There’s agitation, it’s just a very gentle agitation to help loosen any dirt, any grime, just lifting any of the fabric fibres. It’s at a cold wash, so generally 20 to 30 degrees,” she explained.
If you’re washing items made of wool, use a detergent designed specifically for wool as an enzymatic detergent will damage the fibre, leading the garment to lose its shape and the thermal properties of wool.
Any delicate or wool items you’re not sure of or worried about can be hand washed in a tub or bucket by using low sud detergent and swishing it for a few minutes before a quick rinse.
To remove moisture, pop the item on a towel and roll it up for a squeeze and then dry flat.
Activewear
This is one type of clothing you really want to be mindful of when washing because not only is it expensive, the fabric requires extra special care to stay in good condition.
“Do a quick wash on a cold wash at 30 degrees – that’s going to prevent any shrinking, and a low spin cycle [to prevent stretching], especially if you’ve got a top loader with an agitator in the middle, clothes can get wrapped around, and they can stretch, and you don’t want your leggings, your activewear shirts to be out of shape because that’s just the type of fabric they are.”
Gibson warns against using fabric softener for activewear as it leaves residue in the fibres of the fabric, impacting its sweat-wicking ability.
At some point, you might want to give your activewear a more thorough wash – especially if they smell bad – with 40 degree water or a soak in water and vinegar. You can also pre-treat stains or particularly smelly patches like the underarms.
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