Washing Machine Settings: What They Mean and When to Use Each One

Should whites be washed in hot or cold water? And which setting is for washing sheets? For some reason, washing machine settings can seem overly complicated, even if you do laundry every week. With the help of an expert in the laundry industry, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of all washing machine settings, what they mean, and when to use them. Next time you’re second-guessing which cycle to use when washing your jeans, refer back to this guide.

There are three main cycles that are found on virtually every washing machine (both front-load and top-load) and they happen to be the ones you’ll probably use the most often: Normal, permanent press, and delicate. Most washing machines will have a handful of other cycles you can choose from, depending on the make or model you own. (It also doesn’t help that every washing machine brand is different, so when you move, travel, or use a new appliance, there can be a whole new list of cycles with which to familiarize yourself.)

Browse through the options below and take note of the ones your washer has, so you know exactly what each function is and when you should select it.

Normal Cycle

As the name suggests, this setting is pretty straightforward and it’s safe to use for your regular, everyday items. “The normal setting will wash with warm water at a high speed and is beneficial for washing linen, cotton, and other mixed materials,” says Amanda Herman, brand manager for Swash. So long as its fabric is durable, items should stand up pretty well during a normal cycle, and dirt and stains should come out with ease. 

Permanent Press Cycle

The next most popular setting is permanent press—also sometimes called the casual setting. “Permanent press mode on the washer uses warm water and slower spin speed to help prevent wrinkles from setting,” Herman says. This setting can be used when washing synthetic or natural (or a blend of both) materials, especially those that wrinkle easily. That’s because cold water is introduced at the end of the cycle to rinse items which allows fibers to relax. Easily reduce wrinkles in polyester pants, bamboo bed sheets, or a linen dress by choosing permanent press over normal.

Delicate Cycle

Most washing machines have a delicate or gentle setting for fragile fabrics, such as silk and lace. “The delicate wash cycle uses cold water and a low spin speed,” Herman says. “It’s best to use it when you are washing lightweight items, such as lingerie and lightweight knitwear.” Another category of clothing you should wash on delicate, should you choose not to hand-wash them, are your bathing suits.

Speaking of hand-washing, a select number of washers will have a hand-wash setting in addition to a delicate or gentle one. The agitator or impeller will produce an even slower spin cycle, if one at all, so it’s ideal for the items you love the most. Of course, always read the label instructions before tossing your favorite blouse in the machine and, when in doubt, take it to your local dry cleaner.

Herman adds “Delicate clothing items can also be sensitive to certain types of detergents, so it’s important to find a product that’s gentle on clothes while keeping them looking great,” she says. She recommends using the right amount of detergent to not only protect fabrics but also limit residue that can build up in the washer, especially in hard-to-reach areas like a front-load rubber ring.

Heavy Duty Cycle

This setting should be used for soiled, sturdy items since it has a longer wash time and faster speed. This also means it uses a lot of energy so don’t run it often but, rather, when you need to get out some serious stains. If you’re up against a tough one, such as a sweat-stained shirt, try this cycle before the next one.

Deep Water Wash Cycle

Exclusive to top-load washers, the deep water option will fill your machine with more water than any other setting, saturating your clothes before breaking down dirt and debris. A pair of work pants with caked-on mud or set-in grass stains can look new again after running them through a deep water wash cycle.

Soak Cycle

If you have a front-load machine, it may feature a soak setting. This is different from the deep water wash, as it allows items to sit submerged in soapy water for a while before the cycle starts.

Bulky Cycle or Bedding Cycle

Sometimes referred to as a bedding setting, this cycle is designed for oversized linens like duvet covers or comforters (except for the down-filled kind), pillows (but never the memory foam kind), and blankets. If the items are still wet and heavy when the cycle is done, run them through a second spin cycle.

You can also try using the bulky setting for winter coats, towels, and washable rugs but only if their care instructions state that they’re machine washable. Always scan the tag before assuming something can be washed on the bulky setting. For example, a sleeping bag seems like it’s an ideal candidate for it, however, it’s best to use the permanent press or even delicate option due to its material. Likewise, quilts should be gently washed to prevent their vibrant colors from running.

Colors Cycle and Whites Cycle

Some machines have specific settings for the color of garments you're laundering. Using the colors cycle setting when washing colorful items will help prevent them from fading by using cold water.

On the flip side, if you want to keep your whites bright, choose this setting if your machine has one. The cycle is usually longer and uses hot water to help remove stains along with any leftover baking soda or bleach, should you choose to add either. Note that some things that seem bleach-safe, such as white towels, can actually be damaged by it, so read the care instructions beforehand. Also, never include vinegar in the laundry at the same time as bleach as the combination will emit toxic fumes.

Quick Wash Cycle

If you need to quickly clean a garment something that’s only slightly dirty, the quick wash setting can be a handy tool. This cycle uses warm water and fast spin speeds to get the job done anywhere between 15 and 40 minutes, depending on the make and model of your washing machine.

Sanitize Cycle

Some washers have a setting designed to kill bacteria through a long cycle with water reaching above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This is smart to use after the flu or another sickness has gone around the house. Generally, it’s best to use bleach with the sanitize setting but, again, check the directions on the items first to confirm.

Steam Clean

At first glance, this setting seems like it might serve the same function as sanitizing. However, the water in this cycle doesn’t get as hot, so it won’t necessarily disinfect fabrics. It will do a decent job of using steam to lift stains and is gentler on fabrics than, say the heavy-duty cycle, so it’s safer to use for more delicate garments.

Wool Cycle

A handful of machines will have a setting specifically for washing wool. The spin cycle is slow which helps prevent shrinking. If your appliance doesn’t include this option, you can launder wool items on a delicate, or gentle, setting instead.

Drain and Spin Cycle

Your machine might list this setting as "rinse and spin," but both settings perform the same purpose. As with the bulky cycle, sometimes heavy items will still be drenched when the wash is done. This is where you’ll want to run them through a quick drain, or rinse, and spin cycle without any detergent so they’re ready for the dryer or to be air-dried. This is also helpful for when you want to get rid of residue after a cycle, such as bleach.

Clean Washer Cycle

It's common for models to feature a cleaning setting that is not meant to clean your clothes and linens but, rather, the washing machine itself. Some manufacturers will list a specific product to use in conjunction with the cycle. For example, my Whirlpool machine states “Clean Washer with Affresh” right above the control. If you’re lacking this setting, you can always clean your washer (while it’s empty) by running a hot cycle with vinegar followed by a second hot cycle with baking soda.