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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

2 1/2 hour washing machine program

116 replies

Duckeggbluesy · 05/02/2023 15:33

All the machines I've ever had have a 1 hour easy care program that I use for general washing that can be adjusted to 30/40/60 degrees wash. I've always used this cycle for my clothes and the kids clothes unless something is extra dirty or has special washing instructions and the clothes always come out clean, smell nice and last as long I would expect them to.

DP insists on using a 2 1/2 hour cotton wash for all clothes (yep, plenty of people say I should be grateful DP does his share of the washing) and the 1 hour wash isn't good enough. With school uniform, muddy sports kits and general laundry 2 1/2 hour washes it means the washing machine is in use for most of the weekend and still needs using during the week to catch up.

Aibu using the 1 hour easy care wash as standard or am I being lazy and the 2 1/2 hour washes are something that most people use? Wondering if I've been using the washing machine wrong for most of my adult life!

OP posts:
Findyourneutralspace · 05/02/2023 15:35

I use the 1 hr 10 mins ‘daily wash’ cycle for most things. Things that are really dirty get a more thorough wash but most of our clothes just need a freshen up, and that cycle is adequate.

Disclaimer: I’m a bit of a slattern when it comes to housework.

Workinghardeveryday · 05/02/2023 15:36

We use 60 min wash here. Jez, no way I would have time to be doing washes that long especially when it isn’t required!!

Put your foot down, it’s your house too.

Nsky62 · 05/02/2023 15:36

I wash bedding at60,just lost cat, and is the hygiene option, 2.5 hrs here, everything else, 30 to 40

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/02/2023 15:37

I either use a 20 mins wash or an hour cycle.

GneissGuysFinishLast · 05/02/2023 15:38

Nsky62 · 05/02/2023 15:36

I wash bedding at60,just lost cat, and is the hygiene option, 2.5 hrs here, everything else, 30 to 40

You lost the cat … in the washing?

UWhatNow · 05/02/2023 15:38

I have this same argument with my DH - he says the 2.5 hours wash is more energy efficient. But fuck it, my priority is time efficiency. Especially at the weekend. Sorry planet.

Whataretheodds · 05/02/2023 15:39

I use the eco setting generally, it's about 2h30, can still toggle tempetature.

seratoninmoonbeams · 05/02/2023 15:39

It will be more energy efficient if it's the long 'eco wash' but not just a long 'cotton wash'. There's a huge difference.

SunnySnowdrop · 05/02/2023 15:41

I use the daily wash for most stuff. Our long wash is the eco wash and I try use it when I can (usually summer) but in winter I want to maximise time on the line,

GideonSmideon · 05/02/2023 15:42

Ours is 20 mins at 30° 30 mins at 40° and 40 mins at 60°. The 20 min wash has always got stuff clean. 2.5 hr wash if you've got more than one load would be too long here (and unnecessary)

Pinkypurplecloud · 05/02/2023 15:42

I quite often use an eco cycle that takes 4-4.5 hours depending on weight and temperature - it’s more energy efficient believe it or not! (Something to do with agitation versus soaking). But I set it overnight. If I’m doing laundry during the day it’s the 1h15min program. Both programmes seem to achieve the same result of clean clothes.

FrostyGirl66 · 05/02/2023 15:43

I always use the eco 2.5 hour wash. It uses less energy and does wash the clothes better.

I usually stick it on just before I go to bed and then hang up when I get up in the morning.

CloudPop · 05/02/2023 15:43

Nsky62 · 05/02/2023 15:36

I wash bedding at60,just lost cat, and is the hygiene option, 2.5 hrs here, everything else, 30 to 40

OMG is the cat ok?

CloudPop · 05/02/2023 15:45

A game changer for me is the "delayed start / finish" button. Get it geared up to be finished by the time you get up, or whenever it's convenient. You can then use whatever programme works the best and also have it work for you time wise

VintageThoughts · 05/02/2023 15:45

Never use a cycle that is longer than 59 mins. I vary the temp - 30 for most stuff, 60 for bedding.

Tiani4 · 05/02/2023 15:45

I use the daily wash cycle for everything unless it's wool or delicates
If it's a muddy wash I'll put in a stain remover innthat section of the detergent drawer and hit the pre wash button after I've selected daily wash

I don't think anyone needs to use the 2.5 hour wash cycle!! Not at 90p- )1.10 an hour electricity costs! (I've a smart meter)

EVHead · 05/02/2023 15:47

Nsky62 · 05/02/2023 15:36

I wash bedding at60,just lost cat, and is the hygiene option, 2.5 hrs here, everything else, 30 to 40

gfycat.com/lastingmeaslyatlasmoth

NCcantthinkofanewone · 05/02/2023 15:48

I get angry at the 1 hour setting, no way could I wait around 2.5 to get a wash out.

LauraNicolaides · 05/02/2023 15:54

We use a cycle that's about 4+ hours. We leave it running overnight or while we're out. If needed you could easily do three of those cycles in a day, 21 a week. How dirty are you? Grin

LauraNicolaides · 05/02/2023 15:56

Tiani4 · 05/02/2023 15:45

I use the daily wash cycle for everything unless it's wool or delicates
If it's a muddy wash I'll put in a stain remover innthat section of the detergent drawer and hit the pre wash button after I've selected daily wash

I don't think anyone needs to use the 2.5 hour wash cycle!! Not at 90p- )1.10 an hour electricity costs! (I've a smart meter)

The long cycles are cheaper to run!

soberfabulous · 05/02/2023 15:56

We use the 30 minute quick wash for everything and our clothes are always clean. 2.5 hours is madness!

DCINightingale · 05/02/2023 15:58

CloudPop · 05/02/2023 15:45

A game changer for me is the "delayed start / finish" button. Get it geared up to be finished by the time you get up, or whenever it's convenient. You can then use whatever programme works the best and also have it work for you time wise

This! Set it to finish at 7am, easily within our economy 7 window for extra cheapness

AllLopsided · 05/02/2023 15:58

Pinkypurplecat I think we have the same machine. It has mostly longer eco cycles (which I run overnight) and the 1.15 cycle which is supposedly for shirts. I don't know why shirts 🤷‍♀️. But I use that one during the day, plus an extra spin because for some reason it doesn't spin fast enough.

I haven't tested the electricity usage but assumed the shorter cycles agitate more so use more electricity overall than the shorter cycles, which soak more...

CloudPop · 05/02/2023 16:00

soberfabulous · 05/02/2023 15:56

We use the 30 minute quick wash for everything and our clothes are always clean. 2.5 hours is madness!

Counterintuitive I agree - but apparently those jumbo length programmes use less energy

Mabelface · 05/02/2023 16:00

59m wash for day to day on 30.
On 60 for towels and bedding.
Once a month I run an extra hot cotton cycle with prewash for my white cotton bedding. This cleans the machine too.