How to Select Washer Settings for Clothes and Towels

Washing machines (and dryers) have come a long way since the first wringer washers. While today's machines make the task easier, the choices, such as what washer and dryer settings to choose, have increased dramatically. The cycles you pick will affect the cleanliness and longevity of your clothes.

For each load of laundry, there are three washer setting choices that must be made before you start the appliance:

• Load size and/or water level
• Water temperature for wash and rinse cycles
• Cycle setting, which ranges from delicate wash to bulky

The following important tips help you to choose the correct washer settings that keep your clothes clean and in good shape.

Selecting the Right Load Size

Small, Medium, Large, or Super Large: What do they mean? Before you try to guess, read your washer manual. You'll find information to help you make choices about load size. The most accurate method of determining load size is by weight in relation to the washer tub capacity. There are general rules about which setting to use based on the level of clothes in the drum.

• Small Load: Approximately one-quarter full
• Medium Load: Approximately one-half full
• Large Load: Over one-half full
• Super Large Load: At full capacity

Selecting the Right Water Temperature

Choosing the right water temperature for each load can prevent clothes from fading, stretching, or shrinking. Again, you have a guide on the labels of the clothes and linens. One of the keys to success is sorting your laundry correctly and washing similar items together.

The old rule was to use hot water for the best results. That is no longer true because many of today's fabrics can be damaged by hot water. Follow these tips:

• Cold Water: Best for dark colors and delicate fabrics. It is also a perfect choice for any lightly-soiled clothes, like office wear. Cold water will not harm any washable fabric and saves on utility costs.
• Warm Water: Best for synthetic, permanent press fabrics. Warm water should be chosen for any colored garments that are heavily soiled with oil or stains.
• Hot Water: Best for white cotton fabrics that are worn or used close to the body like underwear, socks, and bedsheets. If you have laundry that has really heavy soil—like work jeans, mechanics' overalls, or kids' play clothes—and cleanliness is more important than protecting the color, hot water may be needed to remove the stains.

The rinse cycle water temperature should always be cold. This will save money on utility costs, and warmer temperatures are not needed for rinse cycles.

Selecting the Right Cycle

Using the correct cycle for washing and spinning will help clean your clothes and keep them looking their best. Below, see the various washer settings explained to help you choose the right cycle every time.

• Delicate, Hand Wash, or Wool: These settings are very similar and interchangeable, and they should be used for delicate, fragile items like lingerie, lace, and silk. They feature lower speeds of agitation or tumbling during the wash cycle as well as lower speed spins. The lower speed and shorter wash cycle will help prevent the stretching and ripping of fabric, which also makes them appropriate washer settings for shoes.
• Rapid Wash or Speed Wash: In an ideal world, you would never use this cycle because laundry would be done in full loads. However, in reality, quite often there is a last-minute need for a special shirt or uniform to be washed alone. This setting has a shortened wash cycle and a high-speed spin to shorten drying times. It is not recommended for heavily soiled items or delicate items.
• Permanent Press, Wrinkle Control, Casual Clothes, or Dark Colors: This is the washer setting to use for dark clothes, colored fabrics, most synthetic fabrics, blended fabrics, and permanent press clothes. The four cycles are interchangeable and use medium-speed wash action, a low-speed spin, and a cool-down or rest period to reduce wrinkling.
• Normal: This cycle is for cotton or blended fabrics with average soil. The cycle combines high-speed wash action and high-speed spin, making it harsher on clothes.
• Heavy Duty: Select this washer setting for towels and sturdy fabrics like jeans. It is also appropriate for heavily soiled items. The cycle offers a longer wash cycle with high-speed agitation and a high-speed spin to remove as much moisture as possible.
• Bulky: Some machines have a washer setting for blankets and other bulky items like comforters, rugs, and pillows. The cycle begins with a soak period to allow water and detergent to completely penetrate the items. A medium wash action and spin are used to help prevent the washer from vibrating or becoming off-balance.
• Sheets: If there's a separate setting for sheets, this should be used on bedsheets and any linens or large pieces of fabric. The wash action is set to prevent large items from tangling or wadding up into a ball. If not, select the Normal cycle for the ideal casual wash cycle.
• Whites: On most machines, the whites cycle is designed for bleachable white items. This cycle will dispense the liquid chlorine bleach at the correct time in the washing process. The whites cycle has a high-speed wash and spin cycle.
• Steam: Many top-level washers now offer a steam cycle. The steam cycle does not wash clothes. It should be used to quickly remove wrinkles and freshen a garment. It does not provide deep cleaning, but it's a great washer setting for dress shirts when a thorough wash on the delicate cycle is not needed.
• Rinse and Spin: This cycle does not use detergent or provide deep cleaning. It simply rinses and then spins out the moisture from fabrics. 
• Soil Level: Some washers have changeable soil level settings. If you select low soil, the agitation time will be shorter but increases as the settings are changed.
• Spin Speed: If your washer has settings for the final spin speed that can be changed, select a lower spin speed for delicate fabrics to reduce wrinkling, tangling, and damage to the fabric. Higher final spin speeds extract more water, reduce drying time, and help you select a quicker dryer cycle.