Do Touch That Dial! Set Your Appliances for Better Looking Clothes

Do you know a family whose clothes always look fresh and new, whose children show up at your house in apparel that is impossibly clean and wrinkle-free?

Chances are, they don’t spend more than you on clothes, they just know how to dial for good looks.

Closely watching the amount of detergent used in each load is a good idea, if you want to save money by keeping clothes looking fresh and new. The recommendations on the detergent label are based on “average” wash load conditions: 5-7 pounds of clothes that are moderately soiled, being washed in moderately hard water.

Change any of these conditions, and you should change the amount of detergent you use. Select any of the options below:

Washer Dryer
What temperature? Which cycle?
Which cycle?  
How much water?  
 

Selecting the water temperature

Choosing the right water temperature is key to getting your clothes clean without damaging them. The key is to use water that is warm enough to dissolve the detergent so it can effectively remove soils.

For most loads, warm water is best for the wash cycle, since it cleans with less risk of color fading, while reducing wrinkling. Using warm water can also save energy, which reduces your energy bill. Always rinse in cold water, however; it’s the secret to reducing wrinkling in easy-care and permanent press fabrics.

Recommended water temperatures
Sturdy white clothing Hot
Heavily-soiled colorfast clothing Hot
Most loads Warm
Delicates Cold
Colors that bleed Cold
 

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Selecting the wash cycle

Wash cycles control the speed of your washer’s agitator and the duration of the wash. A faster wash speed cleans quite efficiently, but can create more wear on less sturdy clothes. If your washer has a permanent press cycle, use it! You will minimize wrinkling, because the permanent press wash cycle features a special cool-down rinse, while the permanent press dry cycle has a similar cool down period.

Load Cycle
Regular or mixed loads Normal
Durable or heavily soiled loads Heavy or Normal
Fabrics labeled as permanent press Permanent Press or Normal
Delicate apparel Delicate
 

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Selecting the amount of water

Do not overload the washer! If the clothes don’t have room to circulate, the dirt will end up re-deposited on the clothes. Load the clothes loosely in the tub, and then set your machine’s water level to match the load size.

Load weight Load setting
2 pounds or less Small
3-5 pounds Medium
6-7 pounds Large
8 pounds or more Extra-large or Super
 

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Selecting the dryer cycle

Proper drying procedures protects garments and minimizes wrinkling. Most dryers have permanent press and delicate cycles to protect garments that could be damaged by high heat. Check the care labels on your garment carefully.

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