We've been going in order. From methods to gathering laundry. Then to your laundry area and what should be in there. To stain treatment and preparing your wash for the machine. The last entry was about machines and we hooked up our readers on what the best machines were (in America) as well as the economical and environmental best choices over all.
Now, we're getting into what cycles to use.
Speed, agitation and spin are the key elements in a cycle and of course, the kind of clothes you are washing. That's why it's important to wash similar clothes in the same cycle. Alike in colour, fabric sort and weight. Doing this will get you the best result.
Agitation, detergent and temperature is what your laundry needs to get clean.
Regular and Normal cycles, typically use a fast/fast combination and is best used for soiled, sweaty cottons, linens, jeans, towels and bedding do best in this cycle. The cycle is usually long and uses a warm or hot temperature. This cycle will get your laundry the cleanest.
Towels, sheets, diapers, rigid clothes like t-shirts and underwear as well as heavily soiled, greasy clothes are best washed in a hot temperature.
The Permanent Press cycle is for your synthetic clothes like rayon, knit and polyester. These clothes often carry the stink to a maximum level so they need a longer wash, but a slow spin so as not to wrinkle, limit wear and tear as well as pilling. The cycle is fast/slow and has a warm temperature.
Then you've got your Delicate cycle. It's a slow/slow cycle and that's great for clothes like lingerie, sequins, lose knits and iron on's or other applications. Your laundry may not get as clean, but the wear and tear will be minimal. These items along with clothes that might bleed are best washed on a cold or cool cycle. Keep in mind, this is the least clean cycle.
Economically and environmentally, hot temperatures are the worst cycle you could use. I rarely use a hot cycle, but our clothes do not demand it. It may be different in your household. Also keep staining in mind. Some stains actually get worse in hot water and the other way around.
I have fast cycles where I can choose my temperature. I use this in a cold cycle a lot! Especially, for clothes that are lightly soiled and rigid, like cotton.
If you're not sure, go cold and slow! Hehehe... A little lost with all of this information? This might help you out.
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