Washing machines without a doubt have evolved over the last few decades. From wringer washers to advanced machines that we use these days, the immaculate usage and the comfort these machines bring is amazing. However, there are always two sides of a coin and while these washers and dryers can make your life easier, they can also do the opposite if you don’t follow the correct washing machine cycles.
The correct washing machine cycle for your laundry is composed of three choices that are to be made before the process is initiated.
- The total laundry load size
- The temperature of the water for rinse and wash
- Setting up the cycle
Before we go into the details, it is essential that we understand the role of these choices and why they’re so important. These choices when taken determines not only the cycle of your clothes but also helps in maintaining the longevity and overall cleanliness of your clothes making it spotless.
Laundry Load Size:
Essentially, your laundry can be divided into four categories. Small, medium, large and super loads. All of these sizes have various implications and need to be approached accordingly. The good news for you is that your laundry washer manual will absolutely have this information.
As a hand rule, one can say that the weight of the load is determined through its relation with the washer’s capability of loading. For simplification, it can be divided as the following: Small laundry loads need to be filled at an estimation of one-quarter full, medium laundry loads one-half full, large loads should be more than one-half full and super large loads use the laundry washers’ maximum capacity.
The Temperature of Water for Laundry:
The temperature of the water is an essential element to ensuring proper washing, especially when you’re trying to maintain the longevity of your clothes. Before we can go into the temperatures, it is essential that you sort out your clothes in a way where appropriate temperatures could be classified. The following classification can be helpful in sorting out your clothes and selecting the right amount of water temperature for laundry:
Hot Water for Laundry: For decades people have considered hot water as the perfect temperature for cleaning all kinds of clothes. However, times have changed and many fabrics can actually become damaged by hot water. Still, hot water is suitable for white fabric. This includes your socks, bed sheets, and underwear. Hot water is also seen as the perfect soil or dirt remover. If you have clothes where you want to ensure cleanliness more than maintaining, then using hot water can help you remove stains.
Cold Water for Laundry: Cold waters is best used for fabrics that are delicate and clothes that are of dark colors. Cold water simply doesn’t harm any kind of fabric so it can be used to wash even your most delicate clothes.
Warm Water for Laundry: Warm water, in essence, can be used for colored garments which have heavy stains. It is also suitable for permanent press fabrics.
Rinsing:
Last but not least is rinsing. Probably the least difficult, in the rinsing phase, it is important to use cold water for laundry as it can save up a lot of utility costs and ensures that your laundry is completed properly.