Completing loads of laundry provides an unparalleled sense of success. Depending on what has to be washed, washing machines have a choice of settings to get the best clean. Even the most experienced laundry professionals say that they don’t completely grasp how to operate them correctly.
One stay-at-home mother recounted a humorous and realistic washing machine error. Catrina (@granolabarpan) received the shock of her life when she learned she had been using the “heavy” setting on her washer incorrectly for years.
“Now, I understand why my blankets are drenched! I thought HEAVY meant heavy items being washed,” she remarked on the video’s overlay.
“Heavy on my machine means heavily soiled,” she said in the comments. “I thought it meant the stuff I was putting in the machine was heavy in weight/pounds.”
Some mothers are realizing this for the first time. “Okay, so I’m 66 years old and learning this??!!” “I always thought ‘heavy’ meant weight too 😂,” one guy replied. Another individual wrote, “Well, I was today years old when I learned what heavy meant too…😂”
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Others felt perplexed with so many options and reminisced over simpler times. “Wait a minute 😂. I think I need to read the manual for once because I’ve been wondering about all of the options,” another person said. Another said, “I want my old $250 three-option hot/warm/cold on/off washer back.” It did not die; rather, it rusted away over 25 years. I had five kids and my ex-in-laws living with me.”
Washing machine settings are described.
Struggling to grasp your washing machine’s settings? You are not alone.
“Knowing these settings helps avoid common laundry mistakes, such as using the heavy cycle for heavy fabric weight instead of heavy soil, which can lead to ineffective cleaning or damage over time,” says Vanessa Ruiz, a professional organizer at Sparkly Maid San Antonio, to Upworthy.
Here are five washing machine settings and how they operate:
1. Normal/Regular Cycle.
Ruiz notes that this is the standard setting for everyday loads like t-shirts, pants, linens, and underwear.
“These laundry loads are typically washed in warm water, and the setting is rinsed with medium spin speeds through agitation in order to properly clean moderately soiled garments,” adds the expert. “This cycle is safe enough to wash a variety of different fabric contents with a somewhat dirty load.”
2. Delicate / Gentle Cycle
According to Ruiz, the delicate cycle is designed exclusively for delicate textiles such as lingerie, silk, lace, or decorated apparel, which may be harmed in a standard or ordinary wash.
“This cycle will use moderate spin speeds through gentle agitation to thoroughly dry clean and not damage clothes too easily,” according to Ruiz. “This is the preferred cycle when laundry items that require extra care or are labeled ‘delicate’ or ‘hand wash’ need to be washed.”
3. Heavy Duty Cycle.
The heavy-duty cycle is designed to clean extremely dirty goods such as work clothing, kitchen towels, and bedding.
“This option removes stubborn filth and grime by using higher water temperatures, longer wash periods, and vigorous agitation.” It’s ideal for tough laundry jobs, but not for delicate fabrics,” says Ruiz.
4. Bulky/Bedding Cycle.
This cycle is sometimes mistaken for “heavy.”
“This cycle accommodates larger, heavier items that absorb a lot of water, such as comforters, pillows, and sleeping bags,” Ruiz explains. “It uses more water, medium spin speeds, and longer wash times to thoroughly clean bulky items without causing damage or imbalance.”
5. Quick Wash: In a rush? This is the ideal setting to utilize.
“It is an accelerated wash cycle designed for small loads of lightly soiled clothes, usually lasting 15 to 40 minutes,” according to Ruiz. “It’s great for when you need clean clothes fast and can save energy compared to longer cycles.”