Modes and functions in a washing machine

With a modern washing machine, you can easily wash linens and baby clothes, as well as silk dresses, wool sweaters, sports clothes, or curtains. All you need to do is switch to the correct wash cycle, or select certain functions.

Different machine models have different modes and functions, but some modes are found in almost all machines. They can be selected in Bosch and Zanussi machines, as well as in models from Samsung, LG and other manufacturers. They include:

1. Cotton washing. This mode can be called the most common, as you will see it in almost any automatic machine. In this mode, washed heavily soiled cotton clothes and linens. Typically this washing mode involves heating water to +95º C, but there are programs for washing cotton and lower temperature. The spin on this program is set to the maximum number of revolutions that your model of the machine allows.
2. Washing synthetics. This program is also very common and is used for clothes made of synthetic fabrics, as well as mixed laundry. Water heating for this program is usually made to +60ºC. Washing in this mode is rather long, and for spinning the available maximum speed is used.
3. Hand wash. This common mode is chosen for washing clothes made of delicate fabrics that require gentle care. This program is often used to wash tulle. Usually the water for hand washing is heated to +30ºC or +40ºC. The drum rotation in this mode is slow and gentle, and there is no spin.
4. Delicate washing. Like the previous mode, such washing is shown for delicate fabrics that need gentle treatment, but the main difference will be the presence in the program of the spin with a small number of revolutions.
5. Washing wool. This program is common to most machines and is designed for woolen items. This mode provides gentle washing with low water heating and no spin.
6. Daily washing. This program is designed for relatively fast (its average duration - from 40 to 60 minutes) cleaning of not too dirty clothes. Water during this washing is heated to +30ºC or +40ºC, and it is recommended to load the machine not completely with laundry.
7. Fast washing. The program with a short washing cycle is present in almost all machines, and may have different names, such as "Super Quick Wash", "Quick 15", "Quick 29", "Express 15" and so on. This mode is chosen for lightly soiled clothes, which need to wash quickly. The duration of such a program is up to 30 minutes, the water is heated to +30ºC or +40ºC, and the maximum spin speed is set.
8. Intensive washing. The main purpose of this mode is to wash very dirty clothes. Since usually the water is heated to high temperatures (+60 °C +90 °C), this washing is not recommended for delicate fabrics. The duration of this program is from 90 to 120 minutes.
9. Prewash. This mode is two consecutive washes, so the powder dispenser should be filled with two portions of detergent in different compartments. The program is used for very dirty laundry with stains that are hardened and will not be able to remove with conventional modes.

In addition to the standard and most common modes in some models of washing machines, you can meet these additional modes:

• Drying. Dry clothes can be dried only in washing machines, which have this additional mode. Drying can be delicate, which means that the laundry will be slightly shaken during the program to prevent the formation of creases. Also, some machines have the option of accelerated drying, but this program is recommended only for drying materials resistant to heat.
• Economical washing. The main features of this program is less water consumption and minimal water heating, which also causes less electricity consumption. In some machines, such a program is called "eco". The washing lasts about 50-60 minutes, and the water is heated to +40ºC.
• Washing in cold water. The program is used for washing fabrics that can be damaged by heat. Usually this mode is chosen for items that need to be washed by hand or for delicate synthetic materials.
• Washing with soaking. This additional program is designed to remove stains and heavy soiling. The laundry loaded into the machine remains in the water for some time, and then the washing mode at a temperature of +40 degrees Celsius is activated. Total time for such a wash takes from 60 to 120 minutes.
• Washing curtains. This mode provides pre-wash and is used for curtains and drapes.
• Washing jeans. This program is used to wash denim and denim, as well as dark textiles.
• Wash silk. This program is used to wash clothes made of silk and synthetic blended materials.
• Wash blankets. With this program you can wash bedspreads and blankets of different types.
• Bio-care. This mode provides for the use of detergents with enzymes. Since they are destroyed at high temperature, the program sets a lower temperature of washing.
• Washing children's clothes. The peculiarities of this mode are high temperature and an additional rinse. As a result, the clothes of the child will be completely cleaned from both detergent traces and stains.
• Washing sports clothes. This program will help to wash sports clothes and shoes. In some machines it is represented by several modes, depending on the level of contamination.
• Washing shirts. Some machines have special programs for washing shirts and business clothes.
• Night Wash. This program provides quiet operation of the machine and no final spin. After the end of washing, the machine does not emit a signal, but simply turns off.

For better washing in most washing machines there is an opportunity to choose additional functions, which include:

• Spinning. Using this function allows you to separately spin the laundry at the speed you require.
• Drain. The use of this function is shown in situations where it is necessary to drain the water from the machine, but it is not necessary to rinse or spin the laundry.
• Easy ironing. This function, which is present in many machines, will allow you to get not too wrinkled laundry after washing. The peculiarity of operation of the machine when this function is on will be skipping the intermediate spin and using a little more water for rinsing.
• Half load. Thanks to this function you can save on washing in situations when there is not too much laundry, but it is necessary to wash it urgently. After loading the machine by half with the activation of this function, the washing duration will be shortened.
• Delayed activation. This function is especially valuable for busy people, as it allows you to load laundry and detergent, and set the start of the program for the selected time. Usually this function is used to get the laundry washed by the morning or when returning from work.
• Delayed rinse. This function is in demand in situations when it is not possible to remove things from the machine immediately after washing. Turning on this feature will hold water inside the machine until the owner of the appliance turns on the drain or spin.
• Extra rinse. This feature adds another rinse to your wash mode. This function will be useful for allergic people or parents of small children, as it allows you to better clean clothes from detergent residues.
• Rinse with drain. Separate activation of this function allows you to rinse any clothes, and then squeeze it.
• Disable spin. The use of this function is relevant for things that can be damaged in the process of spinning. The machine will skip the spin and finish the program without it.
• Water level control. With this function and its activation, the machine will determine the amount of laundry in the tank, and then fill the tank with water in the right amount, so that the water will be used more economically.
• Childproofing. The inclusion of this function will prevent the opening of the machine during the washing process.

• For the machine to enjoy its work and wash the laundry well, you should properly sort clothes, separating them by type of fabric, as well as by the level of dirt.
• Before loading things into the machine, be sure to look in the pockets to prevent coins, keys and other objects from getting into the tank.
• Zippers and buttons on clothes should be fastened before washing them.
• Turn knitwear and terrycloth clothes inside out before washing.
• Duvet covers and pillowcases should be shaken out before loading them in the machine.
• Do not overload the tank with too many clothes. Fill the machine evenly, following the manufacturer's recommended loading rates.
• Detergent should be poured into the appropriate compartment and using the dosage recommended by the manufacturer. Failure to follow this rule will affect the quality of washing and the wear and tear of the machine.

See the Eldorado Channel video about what to consider when choosing a washing machine.