Quick Wash Vs Normal Wash: Which Should You Use?

It seems like every new iteration of washing machines comes with a bunch of fancy, novel settings. One tried and true cycle, however, is normal wash, though you might wonder how it compares to "quick wash." What's the difference between the two, and which setting should you use? It comes down to soil level, time, load size, and the laundry you need to wash. Both laundry machine settings can get your clothing and linens clean, but they differ in effectiveness and purpose. They aren't interchangeable, and there may be times when quick is better than normal or vice versa. 

Depending on your washer model, quick wash may be labeled as "speed wash," "express wash, or "rapid wash." All are just different names for the same function: an efficient wash cycle that takes roughly half the time of a normal cycle for freshening up your clothes. Exact times vary by washer, but a quick wash typically runs for 15 to 40 minutes, compared to 50 minutes to an hour or more for a normal wash. When running a quick wash, the washer's spin speed is faster than in a regular cycle. The increased spin speeds mean they're less wet upon removal, so they can dry faster. 

Quick wash also uses less water and electricity than a traditional cycle, so it's unsuitable for large loads. Another problem with the quick wash setting is that it may result in poor stain and bacterial removal, so you shouldn't use it for every load, no matter how much you want to speed up the task. Next time you have a pile of laundry to wash, here's when to select each setting.

Determining when you should really use the quick wash laundry feature versus the normal wash setting begins with looking at the contents of your laundry. If you need to wash your clothes fast, you can use the quick wash, but be aware that this cycle won't necessarily remove all odors or stains. This setting is more suited for items that are lightly worn, such as a shirt you wore for a few hours, not the one you wore when you entered the local mud run competition. Think last-minute fresh-ups, not a complete wash. It's also meant for small loads of several items, and not an entire load of laundry.

Normal wash is best for most of your laundry that consists of linens and regular clothing such as cotton T-shirts, pants, underwear, and the like. It will provide a more thorough clean than a quick wash, especially when it comes to stains. As much as it may inconvenience your laundry day, opt for the normal wash setting instead of the quick wash for large, bulky items such as bedding and towels, or else you risk the fabrics coming out still dirty with bacteria harboring. As these items are larger and often made of thick fabric, they need more thorough cleaning than a quick wash delivers.