Soak symbol on a washing machine

You'll find all sorts of washing machine panels. It's great when every key is labeled, especially in Russian, as using the machine is intuitive and easy. However, when all the functions are marked with icons, things get more complicated. And even if some are immediately recognizable, others, like the soak icon on a washing machine, require further explanation.

Which image indicates soaking?

Not all washing machines have a soak function called this way, but almost every machine has something similar. For example, some call it "Prewash." The soak program is usually indicated by a picture of a basin with a wavy line imitating the surface of water. You might also see a picture of a basin with the number 1.

This option can be activated manually with almost every wash program if the items are heavily soiled. Some programs include a rinse cycle (for example, Cotton 90), and then the option is activated automatically when the corresponding program is activated. What is meant by soaking?

• Water is filled into the drum and heated to 30 degrees Celsius. This temperature effectively dissolves stains from juices, caffeinated drinks, cosmetics, and so on.
• The detergent dissolves. Dispensers have a special pre-soaking compartment, from which the detergent is drawn.
• The drum begins to move smoothly, exposing the laundry to influence and promoting cleaning.
• After the option is completed, the dirty water is drained, new water is collected in the tank and the main wash begins.

Important! The soaking process is quite lengthy, taking between 30 and 120 minutes depending on the model. When combined with other programs, this time is added to the wash time.

When combining this function with the main wash, pour the detergent into both dispenser openings. The rinse compartment is marked with an I, the letter A, or the number 1.

Tips for using soaking

The washing machine manual covers every possible detail of its operation. It includes a detailed description of every function, including the soak function, as well as information on how to combine and combine modes. The following information is provided regarding prewash:

• Do not add gel or other liquid detergents (only dry powders, stain removers, and bleaches) to the main wash compartment. Otherwise, the detergent will flow through the nozzles into the drum during the soaking process, and the main wash will be performed without any detergent at all. The same applies to the compartmentand for preliminary cleaning, it involves the use of only dry cleaning mixtures;
• Quick wash cycles do not support pre-soak.

At first glance, the "conflict" between soak and express programs seems odd, but upon closer inspection, it's logical. After all, the point of express programs is speed, while prewash can extend the cycle by up to two hours. If items are heavily soiled, you'll have to select a different program.

Intensive soak on Samsung machines

Some time ago, Samsung washing machines introduced a model with an intensive soak function. It promises fast and effective stain removal with no effort on your part. Now you don't have to manually soak items, spend money on stain removers, or wait for hours—everything happens automatically.

The essence of the program is that things are not simply soaked in water, but are enveloped in rich foam, thanks to the innovative Ecobubble system.

If your washing machine's control panel is adapted for Russian-speaking users, the function will be labeled "Intensive Soak." If the control panel is English-language, look for the label "Bubble Soak." The intensive soak cycle includes the following stages:

• In the first stage, the machine whips the detergent into a thick, active foam. Through the holes in the drum, the foam reaches the dirty laundry and begins to intensively clean stains from the inside. The foam is whipped up by the Ecobubble generator, a relatively new development from Samsung;
• The second stage involves a mini-wash. A small amount of water is added to the drum, and it begins reversing at low speeds;
• The third stage is the soaking process itself. The drum stops, the active foam inside freezes, and the items remain in it for a while while the whipped detergent penetrates deep into the fabric fibers, softening and partially removing the stains.
• The fourth stage essentially repeats the second – the drum is again gently rotated so that the foam can completely cover the surface of the soiled clothes.

Attention! Ecobubble technology not only removes stains quickly and effectively, but also does so with extreme gentleness.

Users claim that Samsung's intensive soaking feature can remove even the most stubborn stains, including blood, red wine, caffeine, and grass juice. The soaking duration can be adjusted depending on the severity of the stain.

   

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