How To Choose The Right Laundry Cycle Every Time

Whether you’re buying a casual t-shirt to wear around the house or something nice to wear out, your clothing is an investment. One of the best ways to take care of your clothing is to ensure you wash it in the proper cycle. But how do you know you’re choosing the right one? While every washing machine works a bit differently, the below tips can help you select the correct cycle every time you do your laundry.

Read The Label

Most clothing labels note the proper washing cycle, according to Lindsay Droz and Kristi Lord, co-founders of L’Avant Collective, an eco-luxury line of cleaning and laundry supplies. “Prior to choosing which cycle for the laundry machine, always look at the care instructions for your garment, bedding, and delicates,” Droz says.

If the garment care instructions are challenging to read (after all, those labels are tiny) and you’ve recently purchased the item new, the information should be listed on the brand’s website.

If you can't read the label, but you know the material of the garment, you can refer to our fabric care guide to make sure you're choosing the right cycle.

The Normal Cycle Is Your Best Bet (Most Of The Time)

The majority of your laundry—like t-shirts, pajamas, socks, towels, and bedding—should be washed in the normal cycle. However, if you have a newer machine, it may feature a bedding or cotton cycle. If that's the case, choose the specific cycle for your garments or linens.

Consider a Pre-Wash

Some items need a bit more attention. “If the item [you're washing] is heavily soiled, most machines have the option to choose a longer cycle and potentially have a pre-wash cycle as an option,” Lord says. This will soak the item before the cycle begins to help loosen dirt. This is a good choice for clothing that got extra sweaty at the gym, got dirty when you were gardening, or bedding that was subject to spills or accidents. A prewash cycle can also help loosen certain food stains. 

If your laundry is heavily solid, such as a towel you used to clean up a pet accident—you may want to upgrade to a heavy-duty cycle. 

The Cold Water Cycle

It’s rarely a mistake to wash a garment in cold water. It’s less harsh on your clothing and your electric bill. This is also the best choice for items that need a little extra TLC. “Cold water washes are great for items that need a little bit more of the gentle touch and are potentially prone to shrinking," Droz says. "For example, wool, cashmere, fine knits, and delicates are best washed in cold water to care for the fibers and reduce any changes in the fabrics.”

What Is Permanent Press?

Do you wear clothing made of synthetic fibers, like polyester or rayon? Or, do you have items that always look wrinkled no matter what you do, such as button-down shirts? You're going to want to use the permanent press cycle. This cycle washes in warmer (sometimes hot) water and then rinses in cool water. Most items can be washed in the permanent press cycle except lingerie or anything extremely delicate.

You Can Never Go Wrong With The Delicate Cycle

If you're still unsure about which cycle to use, it's hard to go wrong with the delicate cycle. This cycle is the least harsh on your clothing, helping to keep your threads in optimal condition for longer. If you want to be even gentler on your clothing, dry them on low or delicate settings—or better yet, hang them to air dry.