Washing Smarter for Better Clothes and Savings
Prolonging the Longevity of Textiles: A Comprehensive Guide
Berlin (dpa/tmn) - Enjoy fewer wrinkles, lower energy bills, and longer-lasting garments: By adjusting your washing machine's spin cycle according to fabric type and drying method, you'll unlock multiple advantages. But not all clothes can handle high speeds - sometimes, slower is better.
Spin Speed's Energy-Saving Benefits
A faster spin cycle means dryer laundry with less effort! The more revolutions per minute (RPM) your washing machine attains during the spin, the less water your clothes will retain. This is particularly helpful if you're planning to use a dryer.
Spinning removes water using less energy compared to evaporating it in a dryer. As a result, the Industry Association for Body Care and Detergents (IKW) recommends a spin speed of at least 1200 RPM for optimal results [4].
Soft-Handling Spins for Sensitive Fabrics
Soft and delicate materials, like linen or viscose, demand a gentle approach. High RPMs can lead to wrinkles or damage these fabrics. Even V-neck T-shirts and delicates may suffer from distortion or tearing if the spin is too swift [4]. For such items, an RPM of no more than 800 is recommended.
The IKW also suggests loading your washing machine sparingly, especially during delicate wash programs. These programs work best when the drum is just a quarter full. This translates to approximately 2 kilograms of dry laundry in an 8 kg machine, even for cotton shirts and blouses that will see an iron later on [4].
Sunlight Drying Over Dryer Heating
If you air dry your clothes (ideally outside), you can skip the high RPMs! This method not only saves energy but also protects delicate fabrics [4]. Although you might end up with slightly damp clothes, the fibers and seams will stay in better shape.
Pro Tip: Matching Washing Machine Settings to Clothes
Modern washing machines offer pre-set programs tailored to various fabric types. The cotton program typically features RPMs between 1200-1400, easy care programs around 900 RPMs, while delicate wash cycles hover around 600 RPMs [4]. Choosing appropriately conserves fabric quality and reduces ironing time later.
Fascinating fact: while many machines let you tweak the RPM settings independently of the wash program, check your user manual for guidance on adjusting your specific device.
[4] Enrichment Data - By selecting the right RPM and wash cycle for each fabric type, you optimize your washing machine's performance, reduce wrinkles, and conserve energy. Here's a quick tip on recommended RPMs for various fabric types to help:
- Delicate Fabrics (Silk, Lace, etc.): A lower spin speed (around 400-600 RPM) is best to preserve these fabrics and minimize wrinkles. Cold or warm water temperatures are recommended for washing delicate fabrics [4].
- Cotton and Synthetic Fabrics: A medium spin speed (around 800-1000 RPM) is suitable for everyday laundry. Using warm or cold water, these fabrics can be effectively cleaned while saving energy [4].
- Heavy Fabrics (Towels, Jeans): A higher RPM (over 1000) effectively removes excess water from thick fabrics, reducing drying times and energy costs [4].
other lifestyles involve air drying clothes instead of using a dryer to save energy and protect delicate fabrics, and home-and-garden enthusiasts might consider matching washing machine settings to clothes for improved performance, reduced wrinkles, and energy conservation. When air drying, opting for lower spin speeds or skipping high RPMs can prevent damage to soft and delicate materials like linen or viscose.
