Why are washing machine cycles so long? If you've ever found yourself frustrated at waiting hours for your clothes to finish washing, you've probably wondered why washing machines take so long these days. Put simply, it's down to water efficiency – modern machines, particularly front loaders, are very water efficient.
Why do new washers take so long to wash? New washing machines take longer to wash clothes because they use less water and less electricity than older machines which means it takes longer to wash and rinse clothes, especially at cooler temperatures.
If your washing cycle is massively exceeding this time, then there could be an issue that needs resolving. Overloading your washer is a big no no, and can negatively affect overall run time – make sure you've loaded your machine correctly. Similarly, only wash items of a similar density.
Although modern machines do generally take longer to finish than their older counterparts, that doesn't mean that they should be taking all day. Cycles that take around 3-4 hours may indicate an issue with the machine itself. In this case, it may be a good idea to have a specialist check out the machine.
A washer that continuously takes too long to wash may have a malfunctioning load sense system, or greater problems with its control panel. There may also be issues with your water inlet valve, which pulls water into the appliance for each cycle.
How long is a wash cycle? A normal wash cycle usually takes between 50 minutes to an hour to complete. However, this time could be faster or slower depending on load size and the cycles or options you choose.
Cycle times for front loaders are getting longer as water efficiency improves. One machine we tested even took a whopping 4 hours 38 minutes to complete a cycle! In fairness, your patience is rewarded with great wash performance and it does have a quick wash option (albeit suitable only for a small, 2kg load).
The short wash time won't be enough to clean heavily soiled fabrics like underwear, bedding, and towels. Increase the dose of your detergent to quick wash for garments with tougher stains.
Also, 15 minutes isn't long enough to clean a full load of washing, even if it isn't stained.
But, HE Washers Have Longer Wash Cycles.
Since they use less water, they take longer to wash and rinse clothes to get them clean.
Washing Machine Lifespan
The average life of a washing machine ranges from 10 to 13 years, although some brands can manufacture washing machines with an even longer lifespan than the average appliance.
Speed Wash
This super-short cycle (often between 15-30 minutes) uses a shortened wash time and a high-powered spin cycle to quickly wash clothes and shorten dry time. The speed wash cycle is not recommended for delicate or heavily soiled clothes though—for those, stick to the delicate and heavy-duty cycles.
Water pressure: This can be a factor that influences the duration of the cycle. Wet clothes: If the machine is filled with wet clothes, for example because of pre-soaking, this can also result in different washing times.
The benefit of a washer with no agitator is that it can accommodate larger and bulkier items, such as blankets and comforters, more easily. It also tends to be gentler on delicate fabrics.
Non-agitator models have a larger capacity, are more efficient, and are gentler on delicate clothes.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid leaving clothes in the washer for more than 8 to 12 hours.
A QUICK wash is convenient and easy, but many of us also choose the cycle as it's cheaper - and greener when it comes to the environment. However, a new study by Which? has debunked this theory, and suggests that a quick wash will actually cost you MORE money.
Bed sheets should be washed in the warmest water appropriate for the fabric, using a sheets cycle or the cycle recommended in your washer's use and care guide. If there isn't a cycle specified, a normal or regular cycle will usually suffice for cotton, polyester or linen sheets.
While it may be tempting to use the quick-wash cycle every time you need to clean a load of laundry, it should really only be used for freshening up garments. An example would be items such as a blouse and pants that are only lightly soiled and that you want to wear last-minute.
Wash with a cold cycle
Washing with a cold cycle can save you more than 80% of your energy consumption and cost. This is because most of the energy is used just to heat up the water in warm washes. Cold washes are just as clean as warm washes in most situation.
The fabric manufacturer recommends a 30 degree cycle. They don't get dirty so a quick 15 minute wash should suffice. Obviously we don't condone using the washing machine for just one or two lightweight towels, for environmental and financial reasons.
According to The Mirror's interview with fabric science expert Lucinda Ottusch, leaving your clothing in the washing machine is okay sometimes, but not for more than 8 to 12 hours. However, leaving clothes overnight won't ruin them.
When using your washing machine daily, make sure you don't overload it. Neither its parts nor the overall mechanism can withstand continuous use for long periods. If you use a machine continuously for more than 1-1.5 hours every day, you will experience resistance, drum damage, unworking paddles, and motor burn.
How long can you leave wet washing for? If damp clothes or bedding have been left in the washing machine or a basket for more than 8-12 hours we recommend giving it another wash. If it's been over 12 hours it's a safe bet that they will need to be re-washed.