I Asked a Cleaning Pro What Every Washer Cycle Means, and Here’s What She Said

I’ve been doing my own laundry since I was a preteen. My mom was adamant that my two siblings and I learn to clean our own clothes. But even though I’ve been doing laundry for literally decades, I still struggle to understand all the washing machine cycles. So I reached out to Kelly Moore, founder of Cleaning With Meaning, to finally learn what all those washing machine cycles are actually used for and here’s what she said.

Below, find out what these seven commonly found washing machine cycles are and when you should be using them. 

The cotton (or whites) cycle runs longer and hotter, making it best for sturdy items like towels, sheets, T-shirts, and jeans. If you want to save energy, you don’t need the absolute hottest setting — dropping down one notch still gets the job done. You can use nearly any detergent here.

For man-made fibers and blends, this setting, which is also known as easy care or permanent press, is your friend. It uses lower heat, less spin, and gentler agitation than the cotton cycle. Permanent press is especially helpful for wrinkle-prone clothes. 

The delicate cycle keeps agitation and temperatures low, making it perfect for silk, lace, lingerie, or knitwear. For extra protection, pop items into a mesh laundry bag and pair with a gentle detergent.

Just need a refresh? Quick wash is a short cycle designed for lightly worn clothes, like gym gear. Moore cautions against overloading the washer here — otherwise, nothing really gets clean. Use cold water for an energy-saving boost.

The most fabric- and earth-friendly setting, eco wash uses lower temperatures and a longer run time to save water and energy. It works well for everyday clothes if you don’t mind waiting longer before drying. Moore says this is also the safest option when you’re not sure which cycle to pick.

No detergent required! This rinse and spin cycle is great when you want to freshen up clothes that have been sitting in storage, rinse soap out of hand-washed items, or clean swimsuits that don’t need a full wash.

This cycle mimics washing by hand: cool water, gentle agitation, and plenty of fabric care. Use it for wool, silk, or any item you’d otherwise hand-wash — and choose a plant-based, gentle detergent to protect delicate fibers.

Using the correct washing machine cycle gets your clothes clean and keeps them in good shape. Washing delicates on cotton could shrink or stretch them. Tossing heavy items into a delicate cycle means they probably won’t get fully clean. And synthetics washed incorrectly can break down faster and even shed more microplastics. When in doubt, Moore says to “use eco wash and gentle detergent.”