As technology advances, our washing machines are becoming increasingly sophisticated, offering more convenience and greater control.
But one setting that you may be unfamiliar with is the “rinse hold” setting – a useful but often neglected option.
In this article, we’ll explain the purpose of the rinse hold setting on your washing machine to help you become a laundry pro.
What Is the Rinse Hold Option on a Washing Machine?
The rinse hold setting is a feature that allows you to pause your washing machine after the final rinse cycle.
This will keep your clothes submerged in clean, warm water to help reduce creasing if you can’t unload them straight away.
For example, if you run your machine early in the morning to utilise lower energy rates, then empty it later in the morning. Or if you’re going to be out of the house when the cycle ends and you want to prevent wrinkles.
Using the rinse hold option also ensures your clothing isn’t sitting damp in the drum for long periods of time. As a result, you’ll enjoy cleaner, fresher smelling garments post-cycle.
With that said, we wouldn’t recommend leaving your garments soaking in the water for more than an hour. Some items may fade, the fabric can start to weaken and it’s a waste of energy too.
When you’re ready to complete the programme, simply set the spin cycle at a suitable RPM and hit start. After that, the water will drain and your clothes will be ready to remove and dry.
Where Can You Find the Rinse Hold Setting?
Many washers have a rinse hold button on the front control panel, often listed alongside the various spin speed options. If you can’t locate it, check your machine’s manual to determine whether it has the option, as not all machines do.
Alternatively, the rinse hold setting may be built into specific cycles such as the minimum iron or delicates programme instead.
When rinse hold has been selected, your machine will automatically pause after the final rinse. The button will typically display a blinking light to show that it is in progress.
During this time, water is held in the drum, so the door will stay locked until you run the spin and drain cycles.
What Else Can You Do to Reduce Laundry Wrinkles?
Want to cut down on ironing time even further? Here are some extra tips you can try:
- Don’t overload – Avoid overloading your washing machine to prevent your clothes getting bundled up. You should aim to load it three quarters full at the most, leaving around a hand’s width gap on top.
- Spin speed – Choose a suitable spin speed for the garments you’re washing. For example, delicate items need a gentle cycle to prevent damage, while jeans can stand more agitation.
- Permanent press – If you can’t find a rinse hold option, running a permanent press cycle will help to minimise wrinkles versus standard programmes. However, you’ll need to remove the items as soon as you can once the cycle has finished.
- Quick wash – Alternatively, try a shorter programme such as a quick wash. These are ideal for small, lightly soiled items and mean you don’t have to wait as long for them to finish.
- Hang-dry clothes – Whenever possible, hang your clothes to dry on an airer or washing line, rather than using the tumble dryer. That way, any creases that have developed will be more likely to fall out. If you have to use the dryer, lower the temperature and remove items while they’re still damp. You can then run an iron over them to smooth out and dry at once.
A proud Yorkshire lass with a love for movies, music and cosy nights in! Once a self-confessed avoider of cleaning, she’s always on the lookout for new ways to make household chores as quick and simple as possible.
