
The gentle cycle, also known as a delicate cycle on some machines, is best for garments with weaker fabrics, as well as some blankets and other bedding items. Gentle or delicate laundry settings begin with a quick, cold wash, and end with a slow tumble and spin cycle.
What is a delicate cycle on a washing machine?
The delicate cycle, also called the gentle cycle on some washers, is best for garments with weaker fabrics or some blankets and bedding. This laundry setting offers a short, cold wash, followed by a slow tumble and spin cycle. So, what do you put in a delicate cycle?
What does gentle or delicate mean on a washing machine?
Gentle or delicate laundry settings begin with a quick, cold wash, and end with a slow tumble and spin cycle. The delicate materials that most commonly should be washed on a gentle or delicate setting include, but are not limited to:
What is the difference between the Permanent Press and gentle cycle?
Some assume the permanent press and gentle cycles are one and the same, but it’s important not to confuse the two, as they use different temperatures and spin cycles. The permanent press cycle is gentle in comparison to the regular cycle. However, it’s still not gentle enough for certain delicate clothes such as lingerie or woven throws.
What do you put in a delicate wash cycle?
So, what do you put in a delicate cycle? You'll use it most often for sweaters, undergarments, and lingerie. Crocheted items like scarves or anything with a sentimental heirloom-quality should also be washed on a gentle cycle.

Is delicate the same as gentle on washing machine?
The delicate cycle, also called the gentle cycle on some washers, is best for garments with weaker fabrics or some blankets and bedding. This laundry setting offers a short, cold wash, followed by a slow tumble and spin cycle.
What is delicate cycle on washer?
The Delicates Cycle. A delicate wash cycle is the machine equivalent to handwashing, this cycle uses warm or cold water with low or no spin. It's the shortest and most gentle cleaning cycle. If the machine defaults to warm water, we recommend you override this by selecting cold water.
What spin cycle is gentle?
Delicates: suitable for delicates, such as wool, silk, lace or thin blouses. This cycle offers a low agitation wash on a low-spin speed, making it ideal for washing underwear, socks and other delicate materials.
Is gentle cycle delicate or permanent press?
While the permanent press cycle is more gentle than the regular cycle and is ideal for certain types of clothes, delicate clothes should be washed on the delicates cycle.
What if my washer doesn't have a delicate cycle?
If you don't have a delicate setting on your machine, use a short wash cycle with cold water. Use mesh laundry bags for extra protection. Sometimes clothing items require hand washing because they could get snagged by other clothing in the washing machine, damaging them.
Does gentle cycle clean as well?
"You would expect delicate washes to protect clothes and lead to less microfibers being released, but our careful studies showed that in fact it was the opposite… If you wash your clothes on a delicate wash cycle, the clothes release far more plastic [fibers]. These are microplastics, made from polyester.
Is silk wash gentle cycle?
Put on the kid gloves-silks require delicate care. You can toss your blouse in a gentle wash cycle, but Whitehurst says it's best to wash these velvety soft items one at a time in the sink. Fill your basin with cool or cold water to help keep the color, then add a gentle detergent.
What spin setting should I use?
The most common, however, are 1400 spin speed washing machines. The lowest washing machine RPM speed is 400. If you're washing a normal load, it doesn't make sense to go down to 400RPM as your clothes will come out damper than is ideal. But, this setting is perfect for delicate fabrics, particularly silk.
How long does a gentle cycle take?
How long is a Delicate wash cycle? It takes between 45 minutes to an hour and twenty minutes to clean items like sheer fabrics, lingerie, sweaters, blouses, pants, jeans or anything recommending a “gentle” cycle on the tag.
Is permanent press Gentle washer?
Since the slower agitation and spin rate at the end of a permanent press wash cycle are gentle on clothes, accessories, and linens, you should reserve it for lightweight clothes and accessories: dress shirts and pants, dresses, t-shirts, sweaters, scarves, socks, and bed sheets with light to moderate soiling.
Is delicate the same as tumble dry low?
Tumble dry low (or Delicate/Gentle cycle) is ideal for loosely woven fabrics or anything with embellishment, like beading, sequins and iron-on decals (sports jerseys). It's especially important to dry spandex/exercise clothing on low heat because it helps retain the garment's fit and performance.
Which wash cycle should I use?
Mix your own CycleWash cycleWhen to use itCOTTONSTo remove dirt and stains for durable fabric. i.e. sheets, towels, whites, heavily-soiled items, cotton underwear and socks.SYNTHETICSEveryday washing for synthetic garments with medium soiling. i.e. blended and synthetic fabrics, like polyester, jeans, and jumpers3 more rows
What's the difference between casual and delicate cycle?
Yes, casuals cycle wash period is tailored to care for casual clothes, office wear items and permanent press items. Incorporates multi-stage fills and wash periods to provide optimal fabric care. Delicates cycle utilizes a unique “tri-pulse” extra gentle agitate profile to provide special care to delicate fabrics.
How does delicate cycle work?
The delicate cycle uses a 'slow/slow' combination, meaning that the wash cycle uses a slow or lesser degree of agitation and the spin cycle uses a slow spin to extract water from laundry. A delicate cycle usually lasts between 4 and 7 minutes during its actual wash cycle.
What is the best cycle to wash clothes on?
Generally speaking, cold wash cycles are best for delicates, colored, and normally soiled clothing; warm water is best for more soiled clothing and whites; and hot water is best for very soiled clothing or for loads, like underwear and towels, where you want to remove germs and allergens.
Does delicate dry shrink clothes?
To prevent your clothes from shrinking, wash them on your machine's cold setting. You can also set it to delicates, which uses a slower, shorter spin cycle to avoid shrinking.