AIBU to ask if anyone uses the eco washing cycle

[Giddykiddy]

DH just put on a small load of gently worn dark clothes that really only need a freshen up on the eco cycle which takes 3 hours. I would have washed on the 30 minute quick cycle at 30 or 40 degrees. Surely it can't be more economical to wash for 6 times longer and it must be hard in the clothes. i usually wash tumble gold and put away 4 loads of laundry in a day. Does anyone really use these mad eco cycles that take forever

4 loads a week - 4 a day would be mental - though MIL seems to wash daily for her and FIL - she has a myriad of rules about things being washed seperately - that's a whole other convo - I happily put knickers with dishcloths but at 60 degrees - suspect I'm an MN minger

My eco cycle on my washing machine uses less water.

Yes, when I'm washing overnight (we have economy 7 heating).

Ah sorry, I must have misread!

I have loads of settings on mine i only use from 18 mins to 45 mins.
No way would i want to wait 3 hours.

I'm on my own, retired and have very few actual dirty clothes that need a long thorough wash.

45 min cycle @ 40d does most things really.

I use the 15 minute express cycle for anything that needs freshening up only.

I would never even consider using the eco cycle. I want the stuff washed, spun and ready to hang by the time I've had my breakfast thanks. I wouldn't wait around for three + hours, no way, and I too have a fear of leaving the machine on and going out or even having it on overnight. Nothing you can say will make me feel it's ok.

Yes, exactly this.

And what are you doing that needs 4 loads of washing a day? Thats a huge amount of washing, I’m guessing you are a very large family.

I wonder if there is someway you could reduce this? I know some people have got in the habit of washing things that don’t really need washed (jeans after one wear etc).

its a trend which is hopefully reversing.

Yes, I thought it was that both tumble dryers and washers were more at risk of fires rather than, say, fridges, and shouldn't be left unattended. I only found out over the last few years though. When I was working full time I often used to put them on at night or when I was at work.

I always use the Eco cycle - it uses less water and electricity.

I often put it on in the evening with the rinse hold option, turn it off overnight and then drain and spin (15 mins) in the morning just before hanging up.

I do a monthly (hot) drum clean wash and filter clean, use bio powder and no fabric conditioner so no smells build up in the machine.

I don't anymore because after much testing nothing was coming out clean but I think that's something to do with the way the samsungs do eco, they don't necessarily heat the water. It was too much wait time to get clothes out with marks still on them. Now I just use cotton wash at 40, not ideal but less clothes waste and tbh my kids need the higher temp to get rid of the mud and teen smell

I always use it.

I do. I have cheaper electricity at night so I set the timer and hang out in the morning.

It used to be all I ever used, can't remember why I stopped. I'll go back to it. Thanks OP!

I always used quick wash but when I changed my energy tariff, I used eco set via timer to come on during the night when electricity is cheaper. Not noticed a lower bill though.

Not impressed with the eco cycle on my machine. It uses so little water that it doesnt seem to get everything properly washed and rinsed

It's pretty much all we use. Occasionally something goes on a delicate wash, or a sports wash, but generally it all goes on eco.

I always use it unless I'm washing something delicate which needs a particular setting. I put it on in the morning on my wfh day before starting work and hang it up in my lunch break.

Someone on here described it as imagine you have a really ingrained stained baking dish that you need to wash up by hand. You can either go hell for leather scrubbing away at it or soak it first for a few hours before (hopefully) gently scrubbing away the stains. It's the same with washing machine cycles. The former will get the job done quicker, but the latter uses less energy and is more efficient despite taking longer in time to complete. It comes down to whether your time or your money is more valuable.

Not often. I find that the washing comes out smelling weird when I use it.

Always apart from woolies and sports gear. We use Eco on anything that has it. Dishwasher, coffee machine, washing machine.
There are only 3 of us so I'm rarely in a rush

I only ever use quick, super quick or easy care on 'speed perfect' for regular clothing washes - Bosch

I don't like the idea of clothes sitting in water for ages.

I don't have a tumble drier

Whats the concern about the washing being wet for longer?

Never we tend to have at least two loads a day and no tumble dryer.

Which is ok as long as nothing runs, I suppose. I tend to use the 'hand wash' or the 'daily wash' on my machine. They both take a couple of hours.

I’m a minger too I mix loads of stuff!

I don't use any cycle shorter than an hour and half and my most used cycle is almost 3 hours. I use the timer to make sure the clothes are ready to hang out when I need them to be so never need to use a quick cycle. Just plan ahead the evening before :)