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What are the Differences Between Washing Cycles?

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If you have clothes to wash, you need to know the difference between the various washing cycles. By using the wrong washing cycle, you can wear out your clothes far faster than is necessary. You may also ruin some clothes that aren’t made for washing on certain cycles. By using the right washing cycles, you can extend the life of your clothes and keep them in better condition. You can also save time and money by using the shortest cycle that will work with your clothing type.

Short Cycle Wash
Most washing machines have a short cycle wash. This short cycle is a good way to wash clothes that are only slightly dirty or that have a lot of embellishments on them that should be washed gently. It’s good to use slow cycles as well for these types of clothing. A long, vigorous wash wears down the fibers of clothing. If you are washing a delicate fabric, use the short cycle and use cold water. If you are washing cotton and you are trying to avoid shrinkage, use the short cycle on cold as well.

Regular Wash Cycle
The regular wash cycle will agitate the clothing and spin it at a faster rate of speed than the shorter cycle. The regular wash cycle is good to use on clothes that are very dirty or that are thick and sturdy. The regular cycle works well with jeans, t-shirts, coats, bedding and any other items that don’t need any delicate treatment. Clothing that is very dirty or that has a bad smell is also in need of the regular wash cycle.

Permanent Press Cycle
The permanent press cycle is a cycle that is a bit easier on fabrics. For many average loads with clothing that is not extra dirty, the permanent press washing cycle is a good choice. This washing cycle cools clothes before they entered the spinning cycle. This is what prevents certain fabrics from getting creased or wrinkled during the washing process. It is particularly effective with synthetic fabrics and permanent press items. Clothing that is advertised as wrinkle-resistant should be washed in a permanent press cycle. For loads full of moderately dirty clothes that do not have foul smells, the permanent press cycle will play them without any unnecessary wear to the fabric.

Delicate Washing Cycle
For many fabrics, the delicate washing cycle is the only one that will work well. There are many items that are simply not made to be washed in a washing machine. There are some silks that are dry clean only, as are some items that are embellished with a lot of sequins or other items. However, there are many delicate items that can be washed in the delicate cycle. Items such as lingerie, items with a lot of lace, very delicate lightweight items, and fabrics that are loosely woven are all perfect for the delicate washing cycle. With delicate items, use cold water and a delicate detergent. This cycle washes clothing more gently with slower agitation and spinning. It is the closest thing to hand washing that is possible with a washing machine.

Wash cycle

How to Choose the Right Wash Cycle When Washing Your T-Shirt

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Wash cycle

Washing a t-shirt sounds like something that should be simple, but choosing the right wash cycle is important for keeping the t-shirt both clean and looking like new for as long as possible. The proper washing cycle will depend a lot on how dirty the t-shirt is, what type of stains it has on it and how old the t-shirt is. It also depends on what the color of the t-shirt is.

A brightly-colored t-shirt might benefit from a slower washing cycle than a white t-shirt or one with a pastel color. Vigorous washing can fade a t-shirt color faster than if the washing cycle is slower. Cotton t-shirts don’t generally require a delicate cycle, but a bright t-shirt might benefit from a slow cycle to keep the color bright.

If a t-shirt is a white one or one with a lighter color, the wash cycle will not be as important for keeping the t-shirt’s color. The color still may fade, however, if it is washed in the fastest washing speed many times. To help extend the color and the life of the t-shirt, try to change the washing speed between gentle cycles and faster washing cycles. This will keep the t-shirt looking newer longer while still giving it the occasional vigorous cleaning.

The color of a white t-shirt generally will not be affected much by a fast washing cycle. It may fade the white slightly, but as long as the t-shirt is being washing with other white clothing items, the color should remain white for as long as you have the t-shirt. The fast cycle won’t have much affect on the color of a white shirt, but it may have an effect on how long the t-shirt lasts. The shirt may become covered with pills, tiny balls, if it is washed too many times on the fastest washing cycle. The cotton may also become thinner if it is always washed this way.

Unless a white t-shirt is extremely dirty or smells badly, using the same technique of switching the washing cycle between the fastest cycle and a slow washing cycle will extend the life of the t-shirt. It will keep the material from thinning as much and allow the t-shirt more life than if it is always washed on the fastest cycle.

If a t-shirt is extremely dirty, the fast cycle may be the only one that works well to remove the dirt and grime. This is often true if the stains are hard to get out. Grass stains and blood stains may require the use of the fastest cycle in order to loosen these stains. If the t-shirt is only slightly dirty, a slow cycle will work fine to loosen the dirt. It might even be cleaned just as well as if the t-shirt is rinsed out in the sink with some gentle soap. A quick hand wash in the sink will give the t-shirt a longer life and keep the t-shirt from developing pills or faded colors.