Delayed start in a washing machine

Delayed start in a washing machine Modern washing machines often feature a timer, meaning you can delay the start of a program. This is convenient because you can time the start and end of a wash cycle so you don't have to sit by the machine and wait, but can instead arrive to a fresh load of laundry. For example, you can set the timer before bed so the machine has finished washing by the time you wake up. Let's explore how the delayed start feature works in a washing machine and what you need to know about it.

Activating delayed start

Many people don't even know if their washing machine has this feature. The easiest way to find out is to consult the user manual, which lists all the washing machine's features. If you've lost the manual, you can simply carefully inspect the control panel. If you find an icon resembling a clock, your washing machine has a delayed start feature.

The timer mode is started as follows:

Load the items into the drum and close the door tightly;
Place your cleaning products (powder, conditioner, etc.) into the dispenser;
set the desired washing program and adjust the parameters if necessary (temperature, spin speed);
find the button with the image of a clock or dial;
Press the key several times while watching the information on the display.

By pressing the button, you set the delay time. On some washing machines, pausing at 5:00 means the cycle will automatically start after 5 hours. In other models, the timer is designed slightly differently and, for example, a delay of 5 hours means that the selected program will end after this time.

Important! After selecting the delay duration, press the "Start" button. Once you start the timer, the display will begin counting down to the start or end of the program.

If you want to cancel the snooze, press Start/Stop and then press the dial key until the time disappears from the screen.

The delayed wash function is extremely useful for those who schedule their time down to the minute. As mentioned above, this feature allows you to wash clothes even when you're not home. The timer can also be useful for those whose electricity bills vary depending on the time of day, and whose electricity bills are cheaper at night.

Why housewives rarely use the delayed start

Despite its obvious convenience, delayed start also comes with some drawbacks, which many homeowners believe outweigh the advantages, leading to the feature being rarely used in everyday life, if at all. There are four main factors.

Safety. Or rather, the lack thereof. Not every housewife would dare leave the washing machine unattended and go about her business, putting off the washing until she's busy with something else. No one is immune from accidents while the washing machine is running, but minimizing and eliminating their consequences is possible only by taking action promptly, not while stranded in the middle of nowhere.
It's unsafe for the machine itself. Even if you live in a private home with no neighbors and the machine is in a separate laundry room, leaving it unattended is still unsafe. If the power goes out while you're working, it's not that bad, but when the water goes out and the washing machine continues to run idle, it can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs.
Nighttime noise. Few people believe that the few dollars saved by using a nighttime rate are worth the fact that the washing machine can be very noisy at night, especially when it's about to spin. Wouldn't it be easier to wash without a timer before bed?
Complexity. Indeed, most washing machine functions are intuitive. Just press a button, twist a knob, adjust a setting, and voila. But figuring out the timer function requires time and effort, and then memorizing it all, reproducing it, and not getting it all mixed up. A whole page of the manual is dedicated to setting up the delayed start. After all, a washing machine is designed to make life easier, not more complicated.

However, the delayed start function is becoming available in more and more models, so there will certainly be those who will appreciate it and use it regularly.