As washing machines use less water and energy, the rinse cycle takes longer to complete to ensure that clothes get completely clean. This is especially the case in the EU where the efficiency of electrical appliances is regulated.
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.
German washing machines have a long cycle
A typical laundry takes me around 2.5 hours to 3 hours. Yes, it takes a long time! If I have a few loads to do, it can take me a whole day doing laundry. But my clothes also last longer as the washing is not very harsh on my clothes.
Front-loading machines are more energy efficient, and Europeans pay more for energy. A top-loading machine needs to fill with enough water to cover the clothes, while a front-loader's rotation does not require this. Europeans also tend to have less space and tend to stack washer and dryer.
Why do European washing machines take so long? There are regulations on energy and water consumption. Washes with a small quality of cool water take longer. Some machines have a fast wash option for when time is more important than money and the environment.
In many parts of Europe, washing machines are kept in the bathroom (or the utility room, if homes have one). In the UK, the majority of properties have their washing machine built into the kitchen, partly because we don't commonly have electrical sockets in bathrooms. "It's a very normal thing in a lot of countries.
Oh Sunday, the best day of the week to catch up on laundry, vacuum, clean your car… except not in Germany due to “Ruhezeit.” Otherwise known as “quiet hours,” Ruhezeit is the time when you are legally obliged to keep the noise levels down.
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.
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.
As washing machines use less water and energy, the rinse cycle takes longer to complete to ensure that clothes get completely clean. This is especially the case in the EU where the efficiency of electrical appliances is regulated.
Also, 15 minutes isn't long enough to clean a full load of washing, even if it isn't stained.
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.
No washcloths here
Washcloths are very rarely provided in European hotels. For some reason, they are considered a personal item? Either Europeans don't use them, or they expect guests to bring their own.
How often do we do laundry? One of the main contributors to clothes not lasting longer is that we wash them too frequently. In Europe 71% of people do their laundry between one and three times per week.
In Europe and Asia, homes are generally smaller, with washers and dryers installed in the kitchen. They're designed to be compact, and top-loaders are practically unheard of since they would detract from available counter space.
Yes, 30 minutes is enough for a quick wash cycle. It would be best to use only a 30-minute cycle for lightly soiled garments. How long does a full washing machine take? A full washing machine cycle takes between 60 and 80 minutes.
Quick wash only takes up to an hour to do the laundry, which means it has a shorter spin cycle and won't always reach the same temperature as you would in a regular wash. To get the best results from quick wash: Only fill your machine up to 40% full. Only wash clothes with a low level of soiling.
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.
Can I still take showers during quiet hours in Germany? Don't worry, of course, you can still do your everyday routines after 10 p.m. and also on Sundays and public holidays. You can flush the toilet, take a bath or shower at night as usual.
As a general rule, most Germans bathe, shower or wash themselves daily, or even multiple times a day, depending on circumstances.
Nudity is normal in Germany, where many locals feel just as comfortable without clothes as within them. A nudism organization known as FKK maintains dedicated nude beaches where it's compulsory to shed clothes on arrival. Along the German coastline, there's a large FKK beach at Kampen on the vacation island of Sylt.
Combination Washer/Dryer are simply less efficient and are subject to a higher malfunction rate. Several reasons, many having to do with space and habits. The dual units take more space but are less constrained by compromises of having to do both functions.
Washing machines in many parts of the US and Europe are placed in the bathroom or separate utility rooms, but in most UK homes they are usually found in the kitchen, in part because in the UK there are no electrical sockets in the bathroom and most UK bathrooms could not fit a washing machine.
Using a clothes airer (55 per cent), washing line (54 per cent) or radiator (36 per cent) are popular alternative drying methods. Households could spend up to nearly £200 of their annual energy bill running a tumble dryer.