What does the Eco function take more than twice as long?

[WoodenClock]

I have a new washing machine.

There's a mixed 40 degree wash which takes 1 hr 6 min or there's an Eco 40 degree wash that takes more than 2.5 hours.

That seems counter intuitive. What's it all about?

Before anyone asks, it doesn't have a 30 degree wash, only this Eco one (or 20 degrees).

My machine tells me most cycles will take 3 hour then they normally take just over an hour. I actually caught it once adjusting the time left from 53 mins to end.

I ‘think’ it’s got some kind of sensor to determine how much washing a load needs but no idea hire it actually works.

So, maybe try it and see if it really is as long as it says

Mine uses less water and less electricity as well. The details of usage for each cycle are in the manual.

I’ve recently started using my eco system wash setting by loading the machine at night then using the delay button to start eg 6 am so that by 8.45 there’s a clean load of washing to hang out . Works really well for me .

I have two machines, one for work, and on both, the eco cycle has a 1600 spin but that's the only cycle/way you can use that spin. On other cycles you can adjust temp and spin, but max spin is 1200. What's that all about ? 1600 they come out so much drier , it's great but not faffing about with three hour plus cycles before hand.

Not on mine. According to the manual, depending on the weight of the load, mine uses a water temperature between 22 and 40 degrees. I've no idea why its called 40-60.
I assume yours is a Beko like mine. I don't like it. My old one, you chose the cycle and then chose the temperature. So you could do a long 30 degree wash or a long 60 degree wash. Or a quick wash on 30, 50, 60... This one is very prescriptive! Was a real pain when I was trying to work out which mode to use for cloth nappies.

I was so happy the day my ecobubble died. And no we didn't opt to try and get it fixed.

I have never loathed an appliance more!

Piggybacking on the thread, does anyone know why a 60 wash takes 1.5 hours longer than a 40?!

Ooh no but I would like to. Changing the temp changes the time on mine so I assume it takes extra time to get up to the various temperatures, but not as much as 90 mins extra.

I think the "it's eco to wash at 30" predates the eco wash setting on machines and 30 is barely warm, so not really hot enough to do anything for dirty clothes and leads to build up in your machine pipes. So perhaps not relevant for more modern machines, but using the lowest temp you can for the wash you're doing is still good advice.

My machine tells me most cycles will take 3 hour then they normally take just over an hour. I actually caught it once adjusting the time left from 53 mins to end.

My dryer does this, it's supremely bad at estimating, it says it needs 2:40 for everything and then it only takes about an hour. After 40 mins it just changes to 20/30 minutes left. I don't really mind but it does mean the time display is a bit of a liar. My washing machine lies too but it tends to underestimate. Weird.

I have learned loads about washing machines and dishwashers by watching the Lord's Electrical channel on Youtube. Technology Connections as well. The first is a salesman explaining about products and the second is more science/geeky but they are both really good.

For example I learned about the 40-60 mode on dishwashers which assesses how dirty the water is after the pre-wash and chooses the main temperature based on that (!) and that if you use the quick or eco cycle on a dishwasher, it bypasses the pre wash completely and therefore using the compartment for the tablet is completely useless.

I quite like the song mine plays