2 1/2 hour washing machine program

[Duckeggbluesy]

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!

It's pure white now. It was ginger

Good job there wasn’t a red sock in the load as well. I suppose that’s what happens when you boil wash colours.

Those eco settings are a swizz I think. I know there is less water used but surely electricity is needed for the "agitation" which is exactly what I would get if I had to wait 2.5 hours. Nope not buying it at all.

It is either 30 minutes quick, or one hour 60d here and I ain't changing that for anyone! Time is a precious commodity also.

agitation needs very little energy.
heating water does. and heating water quickly.

eco setting use less water = less energy needed to heat that water. plus they tend to heat slower.

check the manual, it should have a section on energy consumption per cycle.

I know all that, but still don't believe it saves much in the long run. My temper needs an eco setting I think!

I won't wait for 2.5 hours for something that I can achieve in 30 minutes or an hour max.

Judging by the level of washing done by reading posts here, most clothes etc. are relatively clean going into the machine anyway, apart from baby/kid stuff, undies and workwear obv. No need for a long wash for many things.

I'd be interested to know exactly how much an eco wash saves,anyone done comparisons with a smart meter?

I use the 30 minute 20° quick wash for everything, and our clothes come out fresh and clean.

The only exception is the school uniform, shirts and jumpers tend to need the longer wash, so they get done separately, on 40°

Oh and bedding obviously which gets washed at 60°

I use the 2 - 2.5 hour cycle because I wash in cold water. My machine does cold, 20 degrees, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 and 90 degrees.

1 hour wash for most things. Temp can't be adjusted, it's a 40 degree wash.

If I need to wash something like bedding or towels or heavily stained things I will use a 60 degree - it takes longer than 1 hour but I'm not sure how long a rually, I've never timed it.

1 hour 40 degree was is the minimum, unless you do a 15 minute one.

Temps are linked to the setting/time you choose and can't be altered on my machine.

Prepared to busy myself while laundry is actually be washed but that last I minute seems to go on for ever.

The longest cycle on my machine isn’t even an hour. But mine is a top loader instead of a front loader. I absolutely hate front loafers.

It's horses for courses here.

I tend to use the 2.5 hour eco setting on weekdays when I'm working from home and don't care how long it takes as long as it's done by lunchtime when I'll be able to hang the wet washing out or put it in the dryer.

On the other hand, if it's the weekend and there's another load to put in, I tend to use a "mixed fabrics" cycle which takes much less time - about 1 hour.

I use the Eco cycle for pretty much every wash. It takes about 4hrs but that doesn't matter, the machine doesn't need supervising, I just set it up and go about my day. I fact I generally run it overnight to use off peak rate electricity.

I only use other cycles for delicates, or specialist stuff, or occasionally if something is needed urgently.

Unikeko Just be careful using stuff at night

Thanks @Erictheavocado - for some reason this 1h15 programme has a slower spin speed and it can't be changed. Maybe I would be saving money to make up for the extra sloshing around, IF I didn't have to do an extra spin!

Machine was second-hand and cost very little (replaced the Bosch that came with the house 16 years previously, and had sensible length cycles!). So I can't complain, but if I was choosing for myself I'd go for more flexibility (time, spin speed, temperature).