What is Permanent Press, and when should I use it?
Unless I am washing a load of delicates, I have never paid much attention to the settings on my washer or dryer.I didn't think it mattered if I used the correct amount of detergent.What is permanent press and how is it different from normal settings?I might have been too cavalier with my washing.Every setting has its own purpose.
We break it down, one by one, so you can get the most out of your washing machine.Let's start with the most confusing setting.
The permanent press setting is meant to wash your clothes.It works best with clothes labeled permanent press.Another reason to check that care label.Warm water and a slow spin cycle are what your washer uses to do this.Warm water relaxes the existing creases while a slow spin helps keep new ones from forming as your clothes dry.Since hot water can cause fading, the milder temperature is ideal for keeping colors nice and bright.The permanent press setting on your dryer uses medium heat and a nice long cool down period to keep thosewrinkles at bay.
This is the most used option on your machine.It is best for your basics, like T-shirts, jeans, underwear, socks, towels and sheets.It uses hot water and a strong tumbling speed to give clothes a deep clean.
If you only need to wash a small or lightly dirty load, this is the best time to use it.A quick wash takes just 15 to 30 minutes and spins your clothes faster, which means less drying time after they are done.
Did you know that your machine can handle the step of pre-soaking your clothes before tossing them in with your regular wash?If you don't want to let things soak in your kitchen sink for 20 minutes, you can simply rub a stain remover into the fabric, toss it in the washer, pour your detergent into a tray and hit the button.
This setting is not intended for heavy duty fabrics like towels or comforters, but for tackling dirt, grime and mud.It uses hot water, an extra-long cycle and high-speed tumbling to give clothes a good scrub.Some high-tech workout clothes and delicate fabrics may not be able to handle the heat.Before running them on normal, try hand washing or pre-rising to get rid of as much dirt as possible.
The delicate setting is gentle enough for delicate fabrics to not warp or shrink.It uses cold water and a short, slow cycle that is great for soft sweaters, lingerie and other fragile items.
This is different from the delicates setting in that it stops and starts with periods of soaking in between, in an effort to mimic washing clothes by hand.Cold water is the best for clothing that is labeled "hand wash" or "dry clean".
If you or a family member have sensitive skin or have accidentally picked up a scented version of your detergent, this setting will be helpful.It tacks an extra rinse cycle onto the end of your regular wash to make sure there is no excess dirt or detergent left behind.