Machine wash for 15 minutes

Almost every washing machine has a quick cycle, often taking only about 15 minutes. Some home appliances even have a dedicated button that speeds up almost any cycle. This 15-minute wash is a useful option for efficiently and quickly washing clothes we wear every day, such as T-shirts, shirts, socks, and underwear. This cycle is usually enough to refresh items, but it shouldn't be used for every wash. Let's take a closer look at how this option works and how to best use it.

How does super fast wash work?

If a person has a basic understanding of how a washing machine works, a cycle that can wash clothes in just 15 minutes might raise suspicions. Programs often take several hours to complete, as the machine spends approximately 5-8 minutes on preparatory procedures alone, during which time it must fill the drum with liquid, rinse the detergent from the detergent drawer, and heat the water. In this case, the washing machine will already spend about half of the entire cycle preparing, and it still needs about 5 minutes for the spin cycle. This leaves approximately 5 minutes for the actual wash, making it completely unclear to users how anything can be washed in such a short time.

Moreover, if you use capsules instead of powder for a quick wash, the delayed time simply won't be enough for the detergent to dissolve. In this case, after the program ends, you'll have not clean laundry, but a pile of clothes contaminated with capsule residue. After such a cycle, you'll have no choice but to restart the wash cycle.

As an example, let's look at the quick function on the Samsung WW60J3063LW washing machine. First, note that the drum can hold no more than 2 kilograms of lightly soiled laundry, and the washing powder should not exceed 20 grams. The maximum amount of gel or other liquid detergent allowed is 20 milliliters. Experts advise against adding fabric softener, as it may not dissolve during the short rinse cycle. The quick function consists of three main stages:

• Main wash, which will take about 7 minutes.
• Rinse for approximately 4 minutes.
• Finally, the spin cycle, which also only takes 4 minutes.

In this mode, the "Home Assistant" saves significant time by using virtually no heating of the water for washing, washing at 20 degrees Celsius. Rinsing is performed only once, rather than several times. Spinning remains full, using a speed of 800 rpm. Naturally, no additional options are available in this cycle, as they would increase the runtime.

Why is this algorithm not always acceptable?

We've covered how quick washing works, but what's left to understand is why it's not suitable. Towels and bed linens are especially worth noting, as they can't be washed at low temperatures. To completely remove dust mites and other bacteria, clothes must be treated in water over 60 degrees Celsius.

Be sure to wash towels separately from other items, as they can absorb unpleasant odors that can form when washing towels at a temperature of 30-40 degrees Celsius.

It's important to remember that during the quick cycle, the machine spends virtually no time heating the water, and lukewarm water is a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms, including mold. Therefore, if you regularly wash items at low temperatures, you should clean the machine at least once every few weeks by running a full cycle at 60-90 degrees Celsius. This will prevent mold from forming and clean the inside of the machine. However, if you ignore this cleaning, mold and unpleasant odors can develop first in the wash chamber and then on your items.

Quick wash is considered an intensive cycle. Washing towels on this cycle can even damage the washing machine. This is because terrycloth items absorb moisture very quickly, and during a shortened cycle, the washing machine doesn't have time to evenly distribute the towels throughout the drum. This causes the terrycloth to become like a heavy ball and cause significant wobble in the drum.

Delicate fabrics and wool should also not be washed with this function. There's a delicate cycle specifically for them, as well as options for silk, wool, and many other fabric types. Before starting the program, remember to sort the items not only by fabric type but also by color.

Be sure to separate dirty items from lightly soiled ones before placing them in the washing machine drum. If you plan to wash heavily soiled items on a quick wash cycle, pre-soak them in a basin with detergent or laundry soap for half an hour. Remember that dry laundry detergent may not dissolve completely in lukewarm water, so it's best to use laundry gels. By following these recommendations, you'll get a thorough clean, save time, and save energy.

   

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