Sometimes our laundry needs a little refresh, but doesn’t require a full-length cycle. This is where the ‘quick wash’ cycle comes in handy!
But ‘quick’ sounds a bit vague. How quick is a quick wash cycle exactly?
Depending on your washing machine and the size/weight of the load, quick wash cycles generally range from 14 to 30 minutes long.
Whilst the cycle works in the same way a regular cycle would, it doesn’t do as thorough of a job, so if your laundry needs a thorough clean, make sure not to choose the ‘quick wash’ option.
Quick Wash Capacity
One thing not everyone realises about quick wash programmes is that they are designed to be used with a much smaller amount of laundry than a regular wash. Here’s a guide to the average recommendations we found in washing machine manuals:
| Quick wash time | Maximum capacity (kg) |
|---|---|
| 14-15 | 1-2 |
| 20 | 3-3.5 |
| 28-30 | 2-4 |
If your washing machine’s regular capacity is 10 kg or more, the quick wash capacity is likely to be at the higher end of the ranges given above. If your washing machine is smaller (7-8 kg capacity), the quick wash capacity is likely to be at the lower end of the ranges given above.
When to Use a Quick Wash Cycle
A quick wash cycle is designed to:
- Refresh clothing that hasn’t been worn in a while
- Every day lightly soiled laundry i.e. casual t-shirts (not towels, pants, or gym wear, for example, they need a more thorough wash to do the job)
- A laundry emergency i.e. you need to have clean clothes ASAP!
- You don’t need to wash things at a high heat (the maximum temperature on a quick wash cycle is usually 30-40 Celsius)
Tips for Getting the Best Results with a Quick Wash Cycle
- Follow the user manual’s instructions on capacity, and don’t fill the drum more than 40%.
- Use a small amount of detergent – no more than 20 g of washing powder or 20 ml of liquid detergent.
- If your clothing seems damper than usual, stick on an extra spin cycle. A quick wash has a shorter (and often slower) spin cycle than a full-length wash, so it might not drain the excess water to the same degree,
- Do not use this cycle for hand wash only or delicate items!
Hi, I’m Bron. I’m an elite endurance athlete, love the outdoors and anything involving food! All of which have the potential to make a mess! I don’t have a huge concentration span (and like to use the excuse of being too busy), so go for quick and easy cleaning methods where possible!
