When to use which wash cycle?

How do you choose the right wash cycle?

A wash cycle determines how hot the water gets, how long the wash lasts and how fast the drum spins. Which wash cycle suits your laundry depends on three things: the care label, the type of fabric and how dirty the laundry is.

Always check the care label first. You can read what the symbols mean in our blog about washing symbols. Then sort your laundry by type of fabric, for example cotton, synthetics and delicates. Wash laundry of the same fabric together, at the same temperature and on the same cycle. Always wash wool and silk separately.

Cotton wash cycle

The cotton wash cycle is the standard cycle for sturdy fabrics. You use it for heat-resistant cotton and linen, such as underwear, T-shirts, sheets, tea towels and towels. With the temperature button you choose the temperature shown on the care label, or lower. You'll find the cotton wash cycle on all Homie washing machines, under the name Cotton.

Synthetic wash cycle

The synthetic wash cycle is for clothes made of synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, polyamide and acrylic. Think of shirts, blouses and jackets. If the fabric is knitted, use less detergent, because knitted fabric foams easily. You'll find this cycle on the G-70, K-80 PR and K-90 PR Homie washing machines under the name Synthetic. The Homie K-80 WD doesn't have it. Choose the mixed cycle there.

Mixed wash cycle

The mixed wash cycle is for a mixed load of cotton and synthetic fabrics. It's handy when you have little laundry and don't want to sort it. A half-full drum usually works best. All our washing machines have a mixed wash cycle.

Eco wash cycle

The eco wash cycle washes normally soiled cotton that can be washed at 40 or 60°C, together in one wash. Cycles that wash at lower temperatures and for longer are generally the most energy-efficient. That's why the eco wash cycle takes about three and a half hours. It suits you best when you're not in a hurry. Fill the drum up to the capacity stated for the cycle. Doing so saves energy and water. The eco wash cycle is on all Homie washing machines under the name ECO 40-60.

Wool wash cycle

The wool wash cycle is a gentle cycle for wool that can be washed by hand or in the machine. It washes carefully with a low spin speed and has longer pauses in which the fabric rests in the water, so wool is less likely to shrink. Use a special wool detergent. If the label only says hand wash, the garment doesn't belong in the machine. All our machines have a wool wash cycle. It's called Wool there.

Bedding wash cycle

The bedding wash cycle is for duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases. It's specially designed for washing bedding. On the K-80 PR and K-90 PR washing machines it's called Bed Linen. The G-70 washing machine has the Bulky cycle, for large, bulky items. The K-80 WD washing machine has no separate cycle for bedding. Use Cotton at 60°C on that machine, if the care label allows it.

Sportswear wash cycle

The sportswear wash cycle is made for sports clothing, such as running tops and tracksuit bottoms. Sportswear is often made of polyester or another synthetic fabric, so always check the care label first. The Sport cycle is only on the G-70 washing machine. On our other machines, choose Synthetic. Only the K-80 WD doesn't have Synthetic, so choose Mix there.

Jeans wash cycle

The jeans wash cycle is made for jeans and other denim. Turn your jeans inside out so the colour fades less quickly. On the G-70 washing machine, the cycle is called Jeans. Our other washing machines don't have it. Wash your jeans on the cotton cycle there, at the temperature on the label.

Baby clothes wash cycle

The baby clothes wash cycle washes at a higher temperature and rinses extra thoroughly, so no detergent residue is left on a baby's skin. Use a mild detergent. It's on all Homie washing machines and is called Baby Care.

Intensive wash cycle

The intensive wash cycle is for laundry that's very dirty. It extends the wash time so the laundry gets cleaner. Is the laundry only slightly dirty? Then choose a regular cycle, because the intensive cycle takes longer. You'll find the intensive cycle on the K-80 PR, K-80 WD and K-90 PR washing machines under the name Intensive. The G-70 washing machine doesn't have it.

15-minute quick wash cycle

The 15-minute quick wash cycle is for a small amount of lightly soiled laundry. As the name says, it takes about a quarter of an hour. Handy for a few shirts that just need freshening up. It's not meant for a full drum or for very dirty clothes. All Homie washing machines have this cycle, under the name Quick 15'.

45-minute wash cycle

The 45-minute wash cycle is for when 15 minutes is too short and a few hours is too long. It takes about three quarters of an hour. On the G-70 washing machine it's called Rapid 45'. The other washing machines don't have this cycle.

Steam wash cycle

The steam cycle uses steam during the wash. Steam is used on many washing machines to reduce creases and freshen up clothes. How well that works differs per washing machine. On the G-70 washing machine the cycle is called Steam Wash. The wash takes about two hours. Our other washing machines don't have this cycle.

20-degree wash cycle

The 20-degree wash cycle washes lightly soiled cotton at a temperature of 20°C. It's the cycle for clothes that aren't really dirty but still need a wash. Because the water is barely heated, it's energy-efficient. It's on all our washing machines and is called 20°C there. Does the care label say 30°C and does your washing machine have no 30°C setting, like the G-70? Then the 20°C cycle is the right choice.

Anti-crease wash cycle

The anti-crease wash cycle is meant to limit creasing, so you have to iron less. It's also called easy care. You mostly see it for shirts and synthetic fabrics. Many washing machines combine it with steam. A lower spin speed can reduce creasing. Take the laundry out of the drum straight after the wash, because that prevents creasing.

Delicate wash cycle

The delicate wash cycle, also known as a gentle wash, is for fragile fabrics such as silk, lace and lingerie. It washes at a low temperature, with little drum movement and a low spin speed. For very fragile clothes, hand washing is a good alternative. If the care label shows two bars under the wash tub, the garment belongs with this cycle.

Shirts wash cycle

The shirts wash cycle is designed for shirts and blouses. It washes gently, so the fabric creases less. On many washing machines you can't fill the drum completely with a special cycle like this. Our washing machines don't have a separate cycle for shirts. Got a cotton shirt? Choose Cotton at the temperature on the label. Is the shirt made of polyester? Choose Synthetic.

Dark wash cycle

The dark wash cycle is made for black and dark clothing. It usually washes at a low temperature, so the colour fades less quickly. Use a colour detergent without bleach and turn dark clothes inside out. Does your washing machine have no separate cycle for dark washing? Choose the cotton wash cycle at a low temperature, or the 20°C cycle for lightly soiled clothes.

Spin cycle

With the spin cycle you spin the water out of your laundry. The drum spins fast, which throws the water out of the fabric and drains it away. The cycle doesn't wash. Every wash cycle already ends with a spin, so you usually don't need this cycle. You use it when your laundry is still too wet after the wash. Bedding is a well-known example. It often ends up in one big lump during the wash, so the water doesn't drain properly during the spin and the laundry comes out soaking wet. Pull the bedding apart and run it through another spin. Fragile fabrics are best spun at a lower speed. The cycle is on all Homie washing machines under the name Spin Only.

Rinse and spin cycle

The rinse and spin cycle first rinses your laundry and then spins out the water. Use it for laundry that needs rinsing first, for example clothes that still have detergent or soap in them. You'll find it on the K-80 PR, K-80 WD and K-90 PR washing machines under the name Rinse & Spin. The G-70 washing machine doesn't have it.

Drum cleaning cycle

The drum cleaning cycle is a maintenance cycle, not a cycle for washing clothes. It cleans the drum and the tube at a temperature of 90°C. Don't put any clothes or detergent in. According to the manual, the cycle works better with a suitable amount of chlorine bleach in the empty drum. You can run it regularly when needed. It's on all Homie washing machines under the name Drum Clean.

Which wash cycle is on which Homie washing machine?

The table shows which wash cycle is on which Homie washing machine.

Frequently asked questions

Still have a question about wash cycles? Below you'll find the answers to a few frequently asked questions.

Which wash cycle for towels?

For towels, choose the cotton wash cycle at 60°C. Towels are usually made of sturdy cotton and can handle that well. Always check the care label on the towels first.

Which wash cycle is the most energy-efficient?

The eco wash cycle, ECO 40-60, is the most energy-efficient for a full washing machine of normally soiled cotton. It washes at lower temperatures and for longer. For a small, lightly soiled load, Quick 15' with cold water uses even less energy, because the water isn't heated and the cycle is short.

Which wash cycle should you choose for everyday washing?

For everyday washing, choose the cotton wash cycle at 40°C for cotton clothes and the mixed wash cycle for cotton with synthetics. If you're not in a hurry, ECO 40-60 is an energy-efficient choice for normally soiled cotton.

Is a quick wash cycle enough for dirty clothes?

No, a quick wash cycle such as Quick 15' isn't enough for dirty clothes. It's meant for a small amount of lightly soiled laundry. For dirty clothes, choose a cotton or intensive wash cycle.