Washing machine help?

Question

What number do I need to put my washing machine on for a dark wash? (inc. jeans, and dark t-shirts?)

Answer 1

The number you select will correspond to a wash cycle and this may not be the same for all washing machines.  Washing instructions on garments used to be  a wash tub shape with the maximum temperature in the tub shape and a number above to indicate the type of cycle.  For example 1 over a tub shape with 95 in it (1 over 95) was white cottons

2 over 60 colourfast cottons

3 over 60 white nylon

4 over 50 polyester cotton mix

5 over 40 coloured cotton

6 over 40 delicates

7 over 30 silk

8 over 40 woolens

the natural fibre washes have maximum agitation and fast spin

polycotton mix medium agitation short spin

delicates & silk minimum agitiation short spin

woolens minimum agitation fast spin.

Most manufacturers therefore numbered the cycles the same to make it easier.

The symbols changed (early 80's?) to simplfy (questionable) - the tub sign remains and the maximum temperature is still in the tub symbol but instead of the number on top there is either no bar, a single bar or a split bar under the tub sign.

These symbolise

no bar - natural fibres max agitation/ long spin

single bar - synthetics/ delicates low agitation/ short spin

broken bar - woollens/ silk very low agitation/ short spin

so first step check the wash label

the jeans are likely to be a no bar 40 equivalent of the old 5 cycle

t shirts are likely to be a single bar 40 equivalent to the old 6 cycle

quite different washes as you will wreck your t shirts if you put them in max wash long spin cycle. You therefore mix the jeans and t shirts and put them on the equivalent 6 cycle. The disadvantage is your jeans probably won't come out clean enough and will need to be put back in for a fast spin.

For best results wash them in their seperate cycles.

The temperature on the label is the max temp, so with deep colours if you can adjust the temp it makes sense to reduce the temperature to say 30 to try to reduce fading. Also make sure you use "colour" detergent.

Answer 2

30-40

Answer 3

Set the washer on ( Normal Wash ), set the water temperature on warm/cold or cold/cold, push to start. When you see it on the rinse cycle, that's when you would open it up and put Fabric Softener in it. Let a little water run in first when it starts to fill up with water so the Fabric softener is mixed in with water and it won't stain your clothes.

Answer 4

30-40 wash

Answer 5

I wash dark clothes for 20 minutes on the cold water cycle. Don't ever wash dark clothes in hot water or they will shrink {you know that right?}

Answer 6

I agree with Puffin 57

Answer 7

just put it on a 30 degree wash and that will do fine.

Answer 8

I put everything in a normal 40 wash (apart from delicate items, obviously). Never had any bother, does the job. I don't use 30, since I find it doesn't clean that well, but 40 is the lowest that does the job.