With so many washing machine settings and cycles, it’s hard to know which one is right for your load. But understanding the difference between them can help you get the best results every time and extend the lifespan of your clothes and linens.
What is the Laundry Cycle?
For your everyday laundry items like T-shirts, pants, socks, underwear, and sheets, you’ll want to use the normal wash and fold cycle on most washers. It’s the longest and most intense cycle with high agitation in both the wash and spin cycles to effectively remove stains, so it’s ideal for your cotton, linen, and durable synthetics.
If you have delicate items in your load, like lingerie and wool sweaters or other items that are labeled “hand wash only,” you’ll want to use the gentle wash cycle instead. This cycle uses lower water temperatures and less agitation to protect your fragile fabrics from damage.
When you have extra dirty or heavily soiled items, the heavy duty cycle is a good option for your washer. This longer, more intensive cycle is engineered to break down and remove stubborn stains.
If you have a washer with a bedding/sheets cycle, that’s the one to use for your larger linens, including blankets and rugs. This cycle is designed to prevent large items from tangling or wadding up throughout the cycle and reduce wrinkling when you put them in the dryer.