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Washing on synthetics vs cotton cycles

5 replies

AngelDog · 21/10/2011 09:43

What's the difference between washing on a synthetics setting vs a cottons one?

I've always washed everything on cottons but I'm wondering whether I should be using synthetics sometimes / all the time.

I notice the synthetics cycle is shorter, so washing everything as synthetics would save a bit of time / energy.

Any reason why it might not be such a good idea?

I usually do an extra spin after the load has finished so the difference in spin rate between the two cycles is irrelevant.

OP posts:
Trills · 21/10/2011 09:45

I think cotton cycles are rougher, they swish and shake the clothes around more.

I use the synthetics cycle more because my clothes are not especially dirty and I think the clothes will wear (e.g. go bobbly) faster if they are treated more roughly.

AngelDog · 21/10/2011 14:37

Thanks. :)

OP posts:
PurpleFrog · 22/10/2011 20:48

Usually the synthetic washes take fewer things in the load. I was shocked when I read the manual for my last machine after using it for 5 years and discovered that the recommended load for the synthetic programmes was less than half that of the cotton programmes!

superego · 23/10/2011 12:48

On my machine the cotton cycle is set to 60 and the synthetic to 40. Also the cotton cycle spins faster.

FreakoidOrganisoid · 23/10/2011 12:51

I'm quite sweaty and find tops often still smell after being washed on a synthetics cycle.

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