Washing machine programmes: what Delicates, Eco 40-60 and the rest mean
A washing machine control panel has ten or more programmes, yet most of us only ever use two or three. In this article we explain what Delicates, Eco 40-60, Cotton, Synthetics and the other programmes mean, how they differ and which one to choose for which laundry.
Quick table: each programme and what it is for
| Programme | In plain English | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Cottons | Bedding, towels, cotton clothes. The most vigorous wash and spin. |
| Eco 40-60 | Energy-saving cottons wash | Normally soiled cotton laundry. A long but economical programme. |
| Synthetics, Mix | Synthetic and mixed fabrics | Polyester, blended fabrics, everyday clothes. |
| Delicates | Delicate fabrics | Thin, easily damaged fabrics, lingerie, viscose. |
| Wool, Hand wash | Woollens, hand-wash items | Wool, cashmere and garments with the hand wash symbol. |
| Quick, Express | Short wash | A small load of lightly soiled clothes. |
Delicates: delicate fabrics
The Delicates programme washes gently: the drum turns more slowly and with pauses, there is more water, the temperature is usually 30–40 °C and the spin is weak, about 600–800 rpm. This means less rubbing and stretching of the fabric.
Choose it for thin shirts, viscose, lace, lingerie and garments whose label shows two bars under the wash tub symbol. Fill the drum only halfway, and put small items in a laundry bag.
Eco 40-60: why it takes so long
Eco 40-60 is the standard programme on newer washing machines. It is designed for washing normally soiled cotton laundry labelled 40 or 60 °C together in one load. The programme runs for a long time, often about three hours, because the water is heated less and the same result is achieved through longer soaking and tumbling. Heating the water accounts for most of the electricity used in a wash, so a long programme at a lower temperature costs less than a short hot one.
Cotton: cottons
The most vigorous programme: intensive tumbling, a selectable temperature from 20 to 90 °C and the highest spin speed. It suits bedding, towels and sturdy cotton clothes. For everyday washing 40 °C is enough, while 60 °C is worth choosing for towels, bedding after an illness or for people with allergies. More on temperatures: washing bedding.
Synthetics and Mix: synthetic and mixed fabrics
A medium-strength programme, usually 30–40 °C, with a gentler spin so that synthetics crease less. It suits polyester, blended fabrics and most everyday clothes. If you are not sure which programme to choose for a mixed load, this is a safe choice.
Wool and Hand wash: woollens and hand washing
The gentlest programme: the drum does little more than rock, the water is cool and the spin is minimal. It is intended for wool, cashmere and garments with the hand wash symbol. For wool and silk, use a specialist detergent made for these fabrics. Enzyme detergents, Ecozyme included, are not suitable for wool and silk.
Quick and Express: short wash
A 15–30 minute programme is intended for a small load (up to 2–3 kg) of lightly soiled clothes that only need freshening up. It usually will not wash out stains or a strong sweat odour, because the detergent does not have enough time. Read more: laundry detergent for short programmes.
Other common programmes
- Sport, Sportswear: synthetic sportswear, a low temperature and an extra rinse.
- Duvet, Bedding: duvets and pillows, plenty of water and a gentle spin.
- Hygiene, Anti-allergy: 60 °C or more and extra rinses.
- Rinse, Spin: rinse only or spin only.
- Drum clean: an empty hot cycle for cleaning the drum. How to look after your machine: cleaning your washing machine at home.
How to choose a programme in three steps
- Look at the garment's care label: the number in the wash tub shows the maximum permitted temperature, and bars under the tub mean a gentler programme is needed. All the symbols: laundry symbols on labels.
- Sort by fabric and colour, and choose the programme to suit the most delicate garment in the load.
- Choose the dose according to soiling and water hardness, not the programme. Ecozyme enzyme laundry detergent is effective at 30–60 °C, so it suits the cotton, synthetics, delicates and Eco programmes. Doses: dosing laundry detergent.
Frequently asked questions
What does Delicates mean on a washing machine?
It is the programme for delicate fabrics: slow drum movement, 30–40 °C and a weak spin. It is intended for thin and easily damaged fabrics.
What is the difference between Delicates and Hand wash?
The Hand wash and Wool programmes are gentler still: the drum only rocks and the spin is minimal. Delicates suits thin everyday fabrics, while Hand wash is for wool and garments with the hand wash symbol.
Does the Eco programme really save money if it takes three hours?
Yes. Most of the electricity goes on heating the water, not turning the drum, so a long programme at a lower temperature costs less.
Which programme is right for everyday clothes?
Most everyday clothes suit the Synthetics or Mix programme at 30–40 °C. For cotton and bedding, choose Cotton or Eco 40-60.
Summary
The programme determines how vigorously the drum turns, how much the water is heated and how the load is spun. Choose Cotton or Eco 40-60 for sturdy cotton, Synthetics for everyday clothes, Delicates for thin fabrics and Wool, with a specialist detergent, for woollens. You will find all our laundry detergents on the collection page.
