To use a 1h 39m cycle for all my washes?

[RtHonNicolaMurray]

I read a Reddit thread last night on this topic and the vast majority of commenters were using a 30 - 45 minute cycle for all their clothes. Some people even using a 14 minute cycle which I find really surprising - I can’t imagine my clothes would be clean after such a short wash!

I use a standard 1:39 cycle (Miele’s “Minimum Iron”) @ 30 or 40 degrees, or a 2:30 cottons cycle @ 60 for bed linens. Am I absolutely overdoing it?!
For context we’re a household of two adults, one (very small, non-shedding) dog and two short-haired cats. Fiancé works outdoors and does lots of DIY and we both exercise a lot, so lots of sweaty gym clothes to wash. I am by no stretch of the imagination a clean freak, so very surprised that I’m the outlier.

YABU - 30 minutes is plenty to get your clothes clean
YANBU - Hour and a half is pretty standard

@Stovetopespresso I only use the shorter cycles on mine as they are cheaper for us electricity-wise. I can’t recall now how much by as it was a few years ago when I tested the various cycles, when the machine was new. I know it’s currently 6p for a 38 minute cycle.

I've got a Bosch, and it's a choice between a 1 hour wash and the next is 2 hours 59. Rather than that I use the eco wash at 3h 17 for sheets and towels, but often the one hour wash (40C) for clothes.

I've got a Bosch, and it's a choice between a 1 hour wash and the next is 2 hours 59. Rather than that I use the eco wash at 3h 17 for sheets and towels, but often the one hour wash (40C) for clothes.

That sounds the same as mine. Do you find the long eco washes leave your washing not smelling fresh? I put the 40⁰ eco wash on overnight and it doesn't smell clean, the 60⁰ is fine though.

I've checked out the shorter cycles on mine because it's them or nearly 3 hours. The 1 hour is one wash and two rinses, so is the 30 min one, but the 15 min one is one wash and one rinse.

I haven't worked out what to do with fine woollies. I tend to hand wash them and then rinse them in the machine. I can't believe they'd do well in nearly 2 hours of 'wool wash', specially if it doesn't rinse properly.

For most things I tend to use the 1 hour on 40° or 60°, then split the load in two and put each half on the rinse and spin cycle after. That doesn't spin very well but I have a free-standing spin dryer which gets things good and dry so I hardly need to use the tumble dryer.

It's a bit of a faff, but I quite like laundry and it isn't as bad as helping Mum with the single tub, hand rinse and wringer when I was a child. Including double sheets!

This thread is proof if ever it were needed that the Confirmation Bias definitely exists!

Washing threads on here are usually along the lines of "why are washing programs so long? I use a 30 min setting and it does the job really well", followed by loads of people saying they can't possibly use a programme that takes 60/90/120 mins.

And here we have a thread which starts with someone washing on a (IMO very sensible) 90 min programme, and many people agreeing it's the right thing to do.

I have nothing to add about washing, but it's interesting to see behavioural economics playing out in line with theory!

@amicissimma

I've checked out the shorter cycles on mine because it's them or nearly 3 hours. The 1 hour is one wash and two rinses, so is the 30 min one, but the 15 min one is one wash and one rinse.

I haven't worked out what to do with fine woollies. I tend to hand wash them and then rinse them in the machine. I can't believe they'd do well in nearly 2 hours of 'wool wash', specially if it doesn't rinse properly.

For most things I tend to use the 1 hour on 40° or 60°, then split the load in two and put each half on the rinse and spin cycle after. That doesn't spin very well but I have a free-standing spin dryer which gets things good and dry so I hardly need to use the tumble dryer.

It's a bit of a faff, but I quite like laundry and it isn't as bad as helping Mum with the single tub, hand rinse and wringer when I was a child. Including double sheets!

Does you machine have a hand wash cycle? This is what I use for wool. Cold at 39 mins. And I can choose the spin so change it to 400 spin. 2 hours is quite lengthy for wool items.

I do most clothes on a 50 min 30 degree wash but I'm not too fussed about germs as it will all be line dried. Occasionally I do a 60 min 40 degree wash to make sure no gunk build up in the machine. Anything that is seriously grimy gets pre-soaked.

I wash my bedding I have 4 sets every 2 months. I wash my clothes during those periods and every time I go back to my parents on a sixty minute wash so about 10 times a year, I live in a building where a wash and dry is ten pounds a time

Were these people in the US? Their machines are entirely different (well, unless they're using HE ones, which are more like ours).

Having said that, I use the 60 minute wash for most of my stuff... or the really short one if I've got behind, or the long one if it's filthy/towels..

I always use 30 - no time to hang around and wait for longer washes until I can get my clothes out to dry

The shorter cycles are much worse for the environment! I read this recently probably on here They agitate the water more vigorously so use a lot more energy.
I use 1hr39 or 1hr51 which are both quick cycles according to my newish machine. I can do a much shorter 30mins. I do for delicate woollens. But tbh, I'm not sure I will anymore mainly due to the unnecessary impact on energy.

It's completely pointless to be washing above 40 for various reasons. The main one being the washing powder/liquid/pod has been formulated to work best at lower temperatures! You are wasting energy!

I think if you’re thinking about the environmental impact you need to question whether items need washing at all. Some items worn / used once in normal day to day wear probably don’t need washing at all or could just be aired /spot cleaned. I bought a hand steamer for freshening up items in-between washes like cashmere jumpers but it takes more effort than throwing something in the washing machine. I need to give myself a kick up the arse and get it out more. I think we’re programmed to think a strong scent of detergent or conditioner is what “ freshness “ smells like.

I use the 1hr 13 fast 30° wash or 40° which is same time.

My quick wash 14-28mins is for small loads not a full wash which I usually do.

I use it for ds gym kit, my period pants, or where I need to wash a hoody or something quickly and don't have a full load.

The quick wash is great if you are pressed for time but the wear & tear on the clothes is terrible - they get thrown around like nobody's business. The longer wash is gentler for the same effect.
Lower temp/longer wash is a lot more energy efficient - your bank balance will thank you. Same goes for dishwasher.

Use the cycle that is most economical in terms of use of water and electricity. This is generally one of the longer cycles (as the clothes do more soaking and gentle swishing at lower temperatures).

I wash everything on 60 degrees. 61 minutes.

I don’t buy this cold water only wash.

30 mins only for emergancy use here. Its not designed for a full load on my machine.

MN competitive long wash

I use the eco cycle which runs at three hours. It uses less electricity due to heating the water to a lower temperature and much less agitation by spinning the drum around. Washes perfectly. I put a load on at night and set it to start at 4am.

There is so much misunderstanding of washing machine cycles. Faster washes almost always use more electricity and water. It’s worth researching your cycles / energy use as over time it would make a big difference to your bills.

I have a few contact allergies so use a three and a half hour anti allergy wash For clothes(the cycle I bought the machine for. All the lotions and potions I have to use for those skin allergies soak into bedding so this are on a 2 and a half hour boil wash. Gosh I wish I had a suitable hour and thirty wash.

I use a 20 minute wash at 40 degrees. Everything is completely clean. I can do three loads in an hour and have them all out of the line. When you compare it to hand washing or the old twin tubs, it's a much more thorough clean.

Our 40 degree wash takes 51 minutes.

YABU. That cycle is too long and waste of energy imo