Is there any benefit to the long cycles on a washing machine?
Posted by Forum_Lurker42@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 115 comments
Both myself and my better half are habitual users of the 'fast cycle' that takes anywhere from 45-60 minutes. Spin and temperature adjustable according to one's preference.
Better half's mother will use the specific cotton wash, which achieves the same results in a lightning fast 3.5 hours. Is there any benefit to the longer wash? Base level logic would dictate the quick wash saves time, water, and electricity. Am I missing some esoteric washing machine knowledge?
The end result has been that the washing machine has been in use all day, and I'm yet to wash my shirts for the week.
NoNeedleworker5422@reddit
Your MILs clothes are in fact getting cleaner if other factors stay the same. If her clothes need the cleaning power of a 3hr cycle is another story.
The cleaning efficiency/power is a balance of three factors - mechanical agitation (to simplify - time in the washer), heat, detergent. If you decrease one of those, you must increase others to make up for it.
Granted nowadays the detergents are probably more potent, so you can get away with shorter washes at lower temperatures. Also washing a load of tshirt you wore to work from home requires less 'cleaning' to get clean than say a load of bedding. So i go for the short washes for everyday clothes, but I feel better about my bedding/towels having a long hot wash.
ArtisticWatch@reddit
I find longer cycles to clean my clothes better.
A few quick 30min wash doesn't tend to get the sweat smell out of the arm pit areas as good as the 2 hour cycle
ahktarniamut@reddit
What about jackets etc , i feel their smell lingers most and 1 hour wash is not foot enough
Agreeable_Taint2845@reddit
How foot are we talking here, toasted cheese sandwich left on a radiator or rotten crotch blue-veined Stilton with yellow flaky toenails that crumble and flake on your tongue as you bite them?
Careful-Training-761@reddit
I find it can depend on the washing machine and powder. I noticed that my current washing machine will wash well on 20c for 1 hour. Whereas I would put my previous washer on for 1.5 hours at 40c and sometimes wouldn't wash as well as my current one does on the lower settings.
hltlang@reddit
If your detergent is biological, the enzymes have optimal cleaning temperatures which used to be around 37–40°C but have recently been redesigned to work most efficiently at 20–30°C in order to save energy. Most people have inherited the idea that “hotter = cleaner” and their detergents are working at suboptimal temperatures.
Even fair liquid, which isn’t biological, is so powerful that a small drop can wash a sink for dishes with cold water. Such a waste to switch the boiler on for a plate.
Careful-Training-761@reddit
Why do you say for bio detergent, and not non-bio, surely both would have been re-engineered? Lower temperature is also probably less damaging to clothes over the long run.
This year I stopped turning on hot water for washing dishes happy with choice.
Also stopped using Fairy liquid switched to Aldi magnum. It's not quite as effective I need maybe twice the amount as Fairy, but it's 1/4 the price.
Apidium@reddit
It depends on the clothing. You can boil linen just fine. Boil and agitate plain wool and it may be clean but you won't be able to wear it anymore.
This modern concept of just throwing it all in the same can lead to damaged clothing but not so much simply because warm water magically hurts clothing.
cannontd@reddit
It makes sense because the chemicals we add to it have more time to extract ‘dirt’.
twonaantom@reddit
Our washer dryer takes 6 hours. I’ve never understood it.
EtainAingeal@reddit
Longer cycles are typically more energy efficient because they tend to be lower temperature and lower spin and depend on the length of the cycle for better cleaning. Faster anything tends to use more energy.
Mendel247@reddit
But that's not really true, is it? Every washing machine I've used in the last 15 years let's you adjust the temperature on each cycle. Depending on the weather (and therefore the temperature of the cold water going into the machine) I've been using 'cold' or 30°c for years, on every cycle. The only exceptions being when I've been ill, or after going to the supermarket during lock down.
I understand there may be some machines that give you less control, but it doesn't seem to be the majority
FlightSimmerUK@reddit
My Bosch washer has a setting called Speed Perfect. A standard washing cycle is around 2.5-3 hours I think, whereas a Speed Perfect wash is 1.5 hours. I believe the difference between the two is Speed Perfect will heat multiple loads of water to get the load done quicker, whereas the longer standard wash will be more efficient with heating and water usage.
I believe you’re right in that a cooler or eco setting cycle will be more efficient and also potentially shorter.
LivingProgram8109@reddit
Also have Bosch and I think the speed perfect setting is basically a half or reduced load setting. If you press it then the display cycles on mine from 9kg load to.4.or 5kg load depending on program.
rogalondon@reddit
On my washing machine the default temperature for the cotton cycle is 60 which takes 2 1/2 hours whereas the default temperature for the shorter ones is often 40
So not at all true that longer cycles tend to be lower temperature.
No_Mood1492@reddit
I've never used a washing machine where the quick wash was hotter than most other settings, and I've never used a machine which allows the quick wash to be any more than 40 degrees.
Some people are saying that the quick wash temperature is the "equivalent" temperature to a longer wash therefore hotter, or that the water needs to be heated more for a quick wash at 30 degrees, but thermodynamics doesn't work like that.
Again maybe it's different by machine, but I've never used a quick wash which uses more water than any other wash, nor hotter on any quick wash temperature setting than any other standard wash, and I've never used a quick wash with a longer spin cycle than most standard washes.
i-am-a-passenger@reddit
This can’t be true surely? A 45 mins quick eco cycle uses less energy than a 3.5 hours cycle?
Physical-Staff1411@reddit
It is. Same applies to dishwashers.
greatdrams23@reddit
A longer cycle has lower temperatures and also longer soaking times.
Spitting_truths159@reddit
They aren't "quick" and "eco" though, not if you actually want a good amount of cleaning done.
Either soak the clothing in warm water for forever or use hotter water and more vigorous stirring for a shorter amount of time.
930913@reddit
You can't see how a vigorous "get this wash done as quickly as possible" wash could use more energy and water than a slow "soak it gently for as long as possible" wash?
i-am-a-passenger@reddit
I wouldn’t assume a quick wash is necessary more vigorous to be honest.
ClickToSeeMyBalls@reddit
To get it as clean it would have to be
audigex@reddit
If it wasn’t more vigorous, it wouldn’t be quicker? Surely that’s obvious?
930913@reddit
I mean, sure. You could just take the first 15 minutes of the regular cycle and call it a quick wash. But washing machine manufacturers are not stupid and try to make machines that actually clean the clothes.
If you need to make a short cycle wash, you will want to increase the temperature of the water so that the chemicals in the detergent react faster, and you will want to whoosh all the clothes around as vigorously as possible (without damaging them (significantly)) to increase the chance of contact between the detergent and the dirt. You'll also want to use a load of water to rinse everything off as quickly as possible.
To make a long cycle wash, you can just soak the clothes in the detergent water, giving it a little nudge every now and then, on the basis that over the course of hours, the detergent will eventually find its way to the dirt. Likewise with rinsing, the detergent has time to soak out of the clothes, rather than needing to be whooshed and hosed out.
Essentially, time is an ingredient that replaces energy required. It's not a hard concept - think about running up a few flights of stairs in 20 seconds compared to taking a minute. You'll use more energy running quickly than ambling up slowly.
Booboodelafalaise@reddit
I was told that heating the water is the most expensive part of the washing machine cycle.
A short wash where the machine has to get the temperature up quickly would probably cost more than a long wash at a lower temperature. Hoping someone will come along with some science on this to educate me though.
Big-Finding2976@reddit
On my machine the cotton programme runs at 40c and takes 2:47 and the time doesn't change if you increase it to 60c. The cotton eco programme runs at 60c and takes 3:30, or 3:06 if you reduce it to 40c.
I'm not sure how the eco programme can be more eco than the non-eco programme if it runs at a higher temperature and for longer. Nor do I understand why the non-eco programme takes the same time at 40c and 60c, because it must surely take longer to heat the water to the higher temperature.
Most of my washes are a mix of cotton and synthetics anyway, so I use the mixed programme which runs at 40c for 1:50. I use the cotton eco programme at 60c when I'm doing a load of sheets and towels, but I'm not sure if I'm wasting energy and time and if a different programme would be better.
RetiredFromIT@reddit
Guessing here. The non-eco wash may have a heated prewash and a heated wash. Possibly one or more of the rinsed are also heated.
Whereas the Eco may not have a prewash at all, and/or have all cold rinsed.
i-am-a-passenger@reddit
Yeah but the variable you are changing there is the temperature, not the speed. If I run a quick wash at 30, and a long wash at 30, I can’t see how the quick wash uses more energy…
Rootes_Radical@reddit
It won’t, but it won’t be as effective.
The factors in cleaning are time, mechanical action, chemical action and heat.
If you reduce one you have to increase another to get the same result.
The longer cycles are usually cooler because temperature is the most expensive thing to do - most domestic washers have elements between 1600w and 2000w and they’re on for a long time to heat a drum full of water to say 60°.
If your clothes aren’t very dirty there’s every chance the short wash at 30° will do a decent job but if they were very soiled you would need more heat or more time/mechanical action (agitation from tumbling).
SchoolForSedition@reddit
I find one can microwave them in vinegar before the short wash at 30 if they need it.
Giant_Gaystacks@reddit
Does one?
SchoolForSedition@reddit
One certainly does. Imho saves a bugger of a lot of washing machine time and hassle.
Big-Finding2976@reddit
One doesn't say bugger.
SchoolForSedition@reddit
Oh bugger you’re right.
Big-Finding2976@reddit
You're clearly not one. Must be at least two.
supperfash@reddit
One concurs.
El_Scot@reddit
I saw it explained previously that the temperature isn't the actual temperature of the water, it's the temperature equivalent.
The longer cycle will heat the water a bit less, soak the clothes for a while, then it'll agitate them for a bit to get the dirt out.
A shorter cycle will skimp on the soak cycle and will need hotter water and more water to achieve the same results.
AnOtherGuy1234567@reddit
The clothes have a longer tome to soak. It's like leaving the dishes in a sink full of water for a couple of hours. It needs a lot less effort to clean them e.g. colder water and less spinning.
audigex@reddit
It’s often (not always, it depends on the machine) true. Mostly because heating water uses a TON of energy, while slowly rotating the drum doesn’t use anywhere near as much
The fast cycles rely on heating water up a lot several times and then spinning fast and aggressively to quickly remove dirt by basically blasting it off with hot water
The slow cycles heat water up less, and less often - relying instead on a longer contact time with cooler water, letting the detergent and contact time do most of the work
It’s counter intuitive at first, but makes more sense once you compare it to other situations where you clean stuff: imagine you need to clean a pan with some baked on food. You can either
Both work, but hot water and scrubbing uses more energy (both for the hot water, and from you scrubbing)
TomfromLondon@reddit
Eco button always lengthens the wash on mine
MattGSJ@reddit
Nope. Doing things slower is cheaper. I know we’re talking washing machines but our fairly new dishwasher’s cheapest cycle is 5.5 hrs.
techbear72@reddit
Our washing machine has an ~3 hour “30°” wash that doesn’t actually heat the water at all. It gets the same results as the regular 30° wash, but uses about a third of power and half the water.
Since we pay for water and for electricity, but not for our time doing the washing (since I set the delay timer to be done when we get up in the morning, so it washes overnight) I use that program almost all the time.
No sense paying more for the same thing / result.
Spitting_truths159@reddit
Except of course if you have a nice sunny day for drying and a mountain of clothing to wash.
Used to be an hour was about the "standard" swapping that to 3hr plus to save a bit of water (that we aren't charged for here) is really bloody annoying. Fair point about electricity though.
Physical-Staff1411@reddit
How bigs this mountain of Washing that can’t be done over 3 washes ?
Spitting_truths159@reddit
Well if you've got a set of shirts & say some bedding to do then that's 2 loads already. If you then add a load of darks for formal trousers & kids uniforms then that's 3. That's a weekly base load really.
Not yes that can be done over a 9-10 hour day, but the issue isn't the washing its the drying. If they need to be outside to dry for a few hours AFTER washing then by the time your 3rd load is going on the sun is probably fading (here at least) even in summer.
Now if you are using a dryer its different, or if you live in California/Spain etc its easy too, but that's not everyone. My peeve is that they've changed the settings on washers without bothering to really tell anyone and only some of them have settings that allow you to override that.
techbear72@reddit
Where are you in the UK that you don’t pay for water?
hltlang@reddit
Works even better with an economy 7 electricity meter
techbear72@reddit
Indeed, depending on your usage pattern. We don’t have an electric car, or electric heat, and I WFH, so our day time usage is massive compared to overnight hours and a time-of-day tariff like Economy 7 would cost us more.
DullWolverine7588@reddit
Once every couple of months my gym stuff needs a proper long wash, the short ones aren't enough indefinitely. So yes, the longer washes definitely do more cleaning, on my machine at least. But being as I don't work down a mine or play rugby or have pets, I'm good with a short wash on 20C or 30C for just about everything else
sockeyejo@reddit
Based on the answers to this, I'm going to try the longer cycle and see if it makes a difference.
Solo-me@reddit
Anyone with a smart meter who could confirm usage? ( even if it s only electricity)!
batteryforlife@reddit
Im wondering this too. If the difference is a few pennies, sod it, I need my washing done quicker.
audigex@reddit
Think of it this way
Soaking a dirty pan for 2 hours takes a LOT longer than scrubbing it for 10 minutes, but takes a ton less effort/energy
Solo-me@reddit
But let's be honest, most of the time our clothes are barely dirty.
audigex@reddit
Yup, but the longer cycle uses less power either way
Some machines have an option for a shorter, gentle cycle too - but for the most part it’s about the activation time of the detergent which is more or less fixed
Forum_Lurker42@reddit (OP)
I think I may jump the fence on this too
Urban_Polar_Bear@reddit
It’s worth having a read of the manual too. A lot of the time the quick wash cycle is a smaller load than the longer wash cycle. My parents new washer give you a Kg number when you switch between the cycles. My much older washer expects you to remember it yourself.
Practical_Awareness@reddit
Same here. The instructions for my machine say the quick wash is for when clothes aren't stained, they just need a freshen. But I've noticed a slight odour recently that seems to stay under my arms even if I've not been sweating, have had a shower, and used deodorant. It's been knocking my confidence. Maybe this is the solution I needed.
colidetheclumsy@reddit
I have actually accused my better half of not washing my shirts because of the smell ! After a huge argument, an apology and then resigning myself to a life of being a stinky bastard… reading these comments gives me hope for a fresher , pong free future!
StaticChocolate@reddit
Just to add, sometimes using too much detergent OR using fabric softeners can cause a lingering smell.
Fabric softeners build up over time on the washing machine and on clothing. They leave a waxy/oily residue which put simply gives bacteria, mould, and mildew more surface area to grow on. Both on your clothes fibres and inside your machine.
If you use too much detergent then again, it builds up in a similar way.
Since I’ve stopped using fabric softeners, I also find deodorant stains/residue washes off.
Solo-me@reddit
Let me guess.... One of the sentences she told you during the argument was: well why don't you do the washing from now on if you don't believe I ve washed it!
colidetheclumsy@reddit
lol she did indeed. She managed to add plenty of vehemence behind the words
RetiredFromIT@reddit
Washing machines vary, but for many machines, that quick wash is not intended for a full load; it is often more geared to quickly washing a couple of shirts.
Quick washes intended for a larger load tend to be energy hungry.
Of course, you can tell whether your washing is getting clean, so if the results you are getting are good, then great.
This is the programme spec for my machine, showing load amounts and energy usage.
RetiredFromIT@reddit
I should add that for folk in a fairly sedentary life, a light wash might be all that is needed. For manual workers, with sweat-stained shirts, you may need the full wash.
Equivalent_Being_869@reddit
I live in a shared house, I always use the cotton cycle (it takes around 3 hours) and my clothes come out smelling fresh and clean. Others in the house use the quick cycle (45 minutes) I often find when I walk past the clothes drying rack that the clothes done on a short cycle smell a little bit off, not inherently bad, just a bit strange.
Maybe it is a coincidence, maybe it's whatever washing detergent the other person uses, maybe it's a placebo and I just think 'mine must smell nice because I washed them for longer', maybe it's the fact that over time we get used to our own smells and only notice different smells more prominently. Idk, whatever it is... I'm a long cycle person
StaticChocolate@reddit
My ‘cotton’ cycle often has a heavier weight rating than any of the others. It’s the only cycle that actually lets you use the capacity of the machine!
Also, the longer cycles leave the clothes sitting in water for longer, rather than relying mainly on agitation for the cleaning.
N7twitch@reddit
I used to use a 1 hour cycle and always felt like my clothes always smelled slightly not-quite-clean. Like not dirty, but also, definitely not ‘clean laundry’ smell.
Now I use the 2 hour cycle and there’s a noticeable improvement.
The other thing that makes a major difference is how much laundry you put in at once. I could always tell when my ex had overfilled the machine because everything came out with the same ‘not fresh’ smell.
Equivalent_Being_869@reddit
The over fill this is real?!? I had my suspicions!
I'm half full the drum person, but my house mate stuffs the drum full of anything possible.
I guess some people choose one quick wash stuffed to the brim with everything over two long washes half full
N7twitch@reddit
Makes a massive difference. You want there to be space between the clothes so that they can get thoroughly soaked with the water and detergent, and agitate better when it spins.
buginarugsnug@reddit
I find that the 3 hour wash is much better than the 1 hour wash. Some materials come out the rapid wash still smelling of sweat, but we don't get that problem with the 3 hour wash.
_methuselah_@reddit
Does the machine indicate water/energy use for each cycle? Ours seems to - a red row of indicators for energy, a blue rows of indicators for water. I always try to aim for a cycle with fewer indicators lit up.
Missyloki@reddit
Not related to washing time, but the laundry detergent can make a difference too. I used laundry gel until my work colleague told me she had previously worked making washing powders. Laundry gel is just ‘nice scented water’ where as powders have better active ingredients. I gave it a go and can confirm she was right! Clothes are cleaner, no more not quite clean smell, and the mildew around my machine seals have completely gone.
blacktoelover@reddit
Also the liquid/gel/pod formulations don't contain any bleach (I think as it can't be made shelf stable in liquid form). Switched from liquid to powder and the damp musty smell our clothes always had despite long cycle, proper drying etc disappeared immediately.
Great_Tradition996@reddit
I’ve tried having this argument with my husband but he won’t have it. The only issue I’ve found with washing powder is that it tends to leave a lot in the drawer and it’s a pain to get out. Maybe I’ll sneak washing powder in when I’m using a long, overnight cycle and stick to the liquid/gel when we do an hour’s cycle on a Sunday night when we suddenly remember we need to wash our work clothes 😂
suszka@reddit
I use powder but still with small plastic cup from gel, which I previously preferred. Detergent drawer is only for fabric softener and I pulled it out completely to empty from leftover water after each cycle. Working great. Powder is definitely better.
Great_Tradition996@reddit
So do you put the powder in the drum rather than the drawer? I have done that a few times, figuring it all gets rinsed off anyway if it’s a long cycle 😊
discoveredunknown@reddit
I live In a flat so I put it on the standard quick cycle for 30 minutes. I’m not listening to the washing machine for 2 hours whilst trying to chill out
alex_3410@reddit
No idea why you are getting downvoted, but this is a decent consideration! Our small 2-bed has the washing machine in the kitchen, and you can hear the bloody thing all over the house! So will often choose the 1H cycle over the 3.5/4H one just so we can get a break from the noise.
Kyber92@reddit
My machine has an "eco" wash that takes like 4 hours. I guess it's possible if it's using lower temperatures for longer it could be saving energy but gooooood it takes so long
MyNameIsMrEdd@reddit
Mine can take 2.5 - 3 hours on the longest cycle but I can also set it to finish at a certain time. I set it to run overnight so that it's ready shortly after I wake up in the morning. Plus I get cheaper electric rates overnight
Optimal_Collection77@reddit
Only for something that could do with a deep soak. For every day wear detergent is designed to work on low temps with short cycles.
Dishwashers work slightly different as they benefit from longer soaking at higher temps than 30c
Repulsive_State_7399@reddit
Long cycles are about half the cost. If i use the eco cycle, my smart app tells me its around 8p. The most expensive I have managed is the 60 intensive hygiene steam setting, at 60p a wash. They rely on longer soaks rather than rinses and spins, so dont use as much energy.
ohnobobbins@reddit
This is the answer we all needed! That is a massive cost difference. Thank you. Going to convert to the eco cycle.
irv81@reddit
My new washing machine uses AI.
When washing, it will detect the cleanliness of the clothes and automatically increase the length cycle to the programme to ensure the clothes are clean if it determines that the clothes are dirtier than normal.
It's pretty nifty and I was skeptical at first but my clothes haven't been cleaner!
Impossible_Policy_12@reddit
How can AI measure dirt in the water? If you have a washing machine with new dark clothing which leaks clothes dye but are essentially clean, the machine will operate in false information. How can it distinguish between dirt and colour runoff?
irv81@reddit
I have no idea, you'll have to ask the boffins at Samsung who built it
madmaxcia@reddit
Wow, 45 minutes is a quick cycle, a quick cycle here (Canada) is 15 minutes. I can adjust the temperature, soil level and spin and make it a looong wash cycle of 18 minutes. For undies I’ll do a normal wash which is 45 mins but if it’s everyday workwear (teacher, so office attire) that just needs a refresh, a quick wash is perfect.
Glowing-Strelok-1986@reddit
If you don't believe it, buy an energy meter and plug it in. The eco cycle takes longer because the clothes have time to soak in the detergent. It takes longer and uses less energy.
alysrw@reddit
It’s often the movement and agitation of the laundry that gets it cleaner, it’s not necessarily just time in the water or temperature. So it’s about knowing which loads need longer and more movement and which just need a quick refresh.
audigex@reddit
It depends on the machine
But generally speaking a longer cycle will clean better (due to longer contact time with the detergent) and often uses less energy (due to not having to heat the water up as much, or spin as aggressively)
I much prefer the 3 hour cycle on our machine. I only use the faster cycles when we need to do two washes in quick succession
-Miss-Honey-@reddit
If you cleaned your car for 3 hours would it be cleaner than if you cleaned for 30 minutes? Of course? Same for your house? Why not the same for clothes?
Chiang2000@reddit
Soap takes time to work on some stains/teenage armpit smells.
Pop it in at bedtime and pause/turn off the machine if you are o sessd.with the power usage. Turn back on in the morning.
aabbcc28@reddit
Look up Nancy birtwhistle for eco laundry detergent and eco washes. Life changer.
Skycbs@reddit
Suggest you ask in r/Appliances the people there know everything
CologneMom@reddit
Use longer cycles. Especially with bed stuff. Never ever use eco. Eco never reaches the temperature it is set to. So if it says 60 degrees you get between 27 and 40. Not enough. Plus use washing powder with bleach if your clothes smell.
MissMizu@reddit
We tend to either use the machine in the day if it’s sunny as the solar kicks in and electric is effectively free. In winter we use it overnight to take advantage of the lower rate. Same for the dishwasher and tumble dryer. The long cycle is only used by me for bedding, towels, dog stuff or really dirty stuff but as we are generally clean, I get all our washing done in 1.5hr cycles on one day of the weekend. If I don’t have solar though, it would be the long cycle overnight, hang out to dry or tumble overnight next night instead.
atlas_ben@reddit
The standard cycle times are generally how long it takes to achaive a balance between cleaning efficacy and energy consumption.
The machin needs to clean to a certain standard and fit into whatever energy efficiency category that the manufacturer wants.
Same with dishwashers.
What they're basically saying is that if you want it to clean a full load to the correct standard, at 30', it's gonna take 3 hours or whatever.
Using shorter programs (or the 'speed up button' on a dishwasher) means your sacrificing one or the other in the name of efficiency. Sure, it'll be quick and it'll hit 30 degrees but will it clean a full load properly? Probably not.
spacedoggos_@reddit
It’s more energy efficient because it soaks the clothes for longer instead of spinning faster. Less spinning in total (and less energy used), more time.
Equivalent_Parking_8@reddit
I use eco setting because it's always more efficient, takes about 3hrs but I can reduce the time by an hour.. My wife crams it as full as possible and puts it on a 20 minute wash then leaves it in the machine for two days.
DeezRedditPosts@reddit
If I remember correctly, the active time of the chemicals in washing powder at 40c is around 4hrs. (I.e. after 4 hours, there's no further chemical cleaning, it's just clothes sitting in soapy water)
So there is a lot more cleaning to be had by a longer cycle.
A super short cycle will make your clothes smell nice (similar to a good spray of perfume) but won't actually clean them.
srm79@reddit
This is the answer! Anybody who has worked in industry with cleaning chemicals knows about contact time, the amount of time it takes for a chemical to do it's job
International_Body44@reddit
I find the quickest wash to be pretty insufficient to clean clothes, also it uses more power..
The odd occasion I have used the quickest wash, I've enede up putting the clothes back in for a longer one...
I've had multiple washers over the last 20 years and honestly the quickest wash has always sucked.
Shealesy88@reddit
My better half uses the 15 or 30 minute wash, load size dependant (though she’s a chronic overfiller, so it’s either full or rammed full), then through the summer dries outside, which works wonders, everything smells fresh all the time. In the summer.
In the winter she uses the same 15/30 minute wash and clothes are hung inside near a dehumidifier, and after 2-3 washes everything in regular use starts to smell bad. I notice my work shirts in particular (cotton polos) start to smell like they’ve been in a foosty cupboard for several months, even though they’ve just come out of the basket having dried inside the couple of days before.
If I come back from work (I work away) with a full bag of worn and throw it all in myself (half a load typically) on a long 2.5-3hr wash, and dry it inside, it’ll smell fresh for another couple of weeks, until it’s had a number of short wash cycles.
So from the cleanliness standpoint, short cycles and summer drying is fine, short cycles and dried inside is not, but long cycles dried inside is fine again. Then, half a load, long cycle and dried outside and that’s pure heaven. Everything is better that way.
Gingy2210@reddit
Faster cycles are meant to be for a couple of clothing items you need quickly. Longer cycles use less energy and are meant for average loads. They wash better too. Stains come out in longer cycles, not so much in fast ones.
CrackersMcCheese@reddit
My washing machine has a ‘baby care’ option which is an extra thorough rinse. I use that with the standard one hour wash so everything takes 2 hours. Clothes are clean. The 30 min wash is dreadful.
TheCarrot007@reddit
Only if you want to save on electric use.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
Most of the energy used to wash clothes (also dishes) is used to heat the water.
Longer wash cycles can use less water and lower temperatures because they trade hotter water and more of it being more efficient at dissolving and loosening dirt for a longer time moving the water (and less of it) around to loosen dirt to get the same cleaning effect. The slow cycle may also only warm up the water for part of the cycle.
The same applies to a dishwasher and there you can often perceive the difference quite easily: the "express" wash will warm the water up immediately so if you open the machine 10 minutes after starting, the water is hot. A slow cycle will wash with cold water for most of the cycle and only warm up a small amount of water to finish cleaning and sterilising the dishes at the end of the cycle.
ldn-ldn@reddit
The more time your clothes spend being soaked the more dirt comes off. So in a long cycle the washing machine can save a lot of energy and water - things just lay down inside being wet at room temperature and that's it.
DarkNinjaPenguin@reddit
Driving slower is generally more efficient, it takes longer but you'll get better miles per gallon and this save fuel and money.
It's the same with these longer eco cycles on the washing machine and dishwasher. They're slower, but they save power in the long run. You should be using them if you aren't in a hurry.
kimba-the-tabby-lion@reddit
I got a visit from an "energy expert" (Ovo) and he recommended the eco cycle. I haven't had the patience to verify if it uses less power.
LemmysCodPiece@reddit
I find on the quick wash the clothes aren't as clean as on the normal cycle.
jizzyjugsjohnson@reddit
As I understand it the ludicrously long 3.5 hours cycles are necessary for manufacturers to be able to meet EU rules on “green” energy consumption. The “fast” cycles are basically the old normal, typical 1- 1.5 hour washing machines we all used to have.
Mental-Jellyfish9061@reddit
Always wondered. We tend to use the quick wash unless the clothes are heavily soiled (dog walks, kids football). But even then, sometimes I put it on a rinse first and then the quick wash.
We sometimes use the bath and bed wash if needed.
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