What's with the quick wash?

[adamthemieleman]

I don't know if it's just me but people seem to be obsessed with using the quick wash. At work I hear all sorts of reasons, some laughable. One reason was the cycles take too much time when there's several loads to do. The other reason did make me laugh inside, the lady said she didn't like the idea of her laundry being locked away.
Do people not realise that a quick wash does nothing? For people to wash everything, the very thought makes me cringe. Those germs on bathroom towels make their way onto kitchen towels. Disgusting.
I had housemates who used to moan at me for using cottons 40, when quick wash would suffice according to them. The answer was my clothes smelt fresh, and theirs not.

Is this just in the UK or is it more widespread?

 

[aquacycle]

The 3 main variables that effect the length of the cycle are load size, temperature and the amount of water used.

What you have to remember, Adam, is that not all that long ago, a washing machine would complete a cottons 40 cycle in under 50 minutes. Granted, this was in the days when washing machines were hot and cold fill and didn't take much time to heat up. People still remember that.

You also have to remember that, unlike us, the general consumer doesn't give a flying fig about their washing machine and don't take any notice of the fact that machines are all now cold fill only. So your average customer doesn't think about it not washing as well, they think "my old Hotpoint/Hoover/insert other random brand washed in 50 minutes, why does this swanky new machine take 2 hours? It doesn't take that long!".

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of quick washes, but I also find excessively long cycles to be a complete waste of time. Anything over 90 minutes is just pointless IMO.

Unfortunately, the days of hot and cold fill, 4kg capacity drums and rinse levels half way up the door are long gone. To be fair, the washing results of modern vs older machines is pretty much the same, it's just the method of reaching that result has changed a bit over the years. But people expect their 12kg LG's to do the same job as their old Hotpoint 9534 in the same time. It ain't gonna happen. But they don't care. To the general consumer, a washing machine is just a washing machine and they pay no attention to it.

 

[ronhic]

It all depends on the actual 'Quick Wash'

...and how it's programmed.

In my opinion, my Zanussi based machine is a good example of an effective quick cycle, partly because it's not a dedicated, separate cycle....rather it is selectable on every cycle except 'wool'.

As an example, to select the 'quick wash' option on the 40c cottons cycle does this:

- reduces the overall cycle time from 1:56 to 1:08
- reduces the rinses from 3 to 2
- reduces the 'cold' component of the cycle - the heater engages within 2 minutes rather than 10 minutes or so into the cycle.
- reduces the length of the final spin by 2 minutes
- introduces a 'wash top up' at 34 minutes remaining, effectively providing a more traditional high level wash for the last 5 minutes of the wash component and helping to remove dirt from the fibers.
- the 2 rinses are also high level, to the edge of the flat portion of the door rather than the bottom of the door.

So if you can reasonably assume that the water level is corrected within the first 8 minutes, then I get a 30 minute wash component, partly high level, with 2 high rinses....with intermittent spins and a final pump out and spin at the 8 minute mark.

Unless the drum is more than 3/4 full, this is my normal default with the exception that sheets/towels get the 60c version which take 1:14.

Even reasonably ground in dirt from gardening is shifted on this cycle....so just be conscious that not all machines, Miele or otherwise, are created equal with their cycles.

 

[washman]

Same thing with dishwashers

My new fancy dancy steam, saniwash, Eco approved GE takes just under 3 hours for a normal load. And because it uses soooo little water it cannot wash powering BOTH upper and lower arms at the same time. First one, then the other, over and over and over.

My old non Algore approved Kitchenaid would wash and dry in just about 1 hour 40 minutes on normal wash.

Add in fact ever since phosphates were removed from dishwashing detergents, I have to use 3x as much powder (Finish, aka Electrasol) as I did in the past just to get a half assed clean load of dishes.

When I got the Kitchenaid back in 2005, I could half fill the main cup use normal wash and the dishes would come out sparkling. Nothing changed, not even my municipal water source.
Then Washington state or some place started ranting about how phosphates were killing off the fish and little by litte, they were removed.

I then noticed that using the aforementioned dose, my dishes came out nasty, in fact it appeared they hadn't been washed at all!

Here's the "remedy" as per an email with Finish:
1. Make sure your incoming water temp is at least 140! (years earlier it was ok at 120)
2. COMPLETELY fill BOTH cups in your dishwasher!
3. Use HEAVY cycle!

Ok, perhaps my college degree DID in fact come from a box of Cracker Jacks but I utterly fail to understand HOW in heck that is somehow more eco friendly.
1. I have to use additional BTU of natural gas to jack up the water 20 degrees higher.
2. I had to use 3x the amount of detergent. This means I buy it 3x as often which means the factory has to produce 3x as much using 3x the amount of resources as before. And by the way, I am only one person; imagine that increase when you multiply over tens of thousands of users.
3. Dishwasher now has to run much longer using more electricity and water to accomplish a clean load of dishes.

Then the control panel shorted out and my slumlord replaced it with a wonderful one year warranty only GE that of course makes the econazis happy. But the motor runs for 3 solid hours so I suppose using some new age arithmetic, it is saving resources.

Oh, you brits might not be familiar with "Algore". That is actually Al Gore, the author of "Inconvenient Lies, er I mean Truth" and the Democratic presidential candidate in the hotly contested 2000 election.

Cheers!

 

[jeffg]

"What you have to remember, Adam, is that not all that long ago, a washing machine would complete a cottons 40 cycle in under 50 minutes."

28 minutes on our TL Speed Queen. 24 for moderately soiled loads.

 

[washer111]

Depends:

Our Miele features the "Express20" cycle. Having seen the tumbling action, this cycle is more pathetic than "Laughable." The clothes are barely tumbled and the drum rotates very carefully most of the time. Unless you have your head screwed on nice and tight, you'll also notice it only does a short pulse spin between the Wash and Single rinse - If you use lots of detergent, your Rinse will be very dark and cloudy. 

 

At least on that cycle you can deselect "Short" and Select "Water Plus" for an extra rinse. All other cycles have the ability to run on "Short," which reduces the time taken according to the load detected and the cycle selected. I rarely use it - since the cycles I use for my own laundry don't take longer than around 1:15 at the most. (Minimum Iron/Delicates). 

 

Otherwise, these Quick cycles aren't good enough to properly wash one's clothes. Even with lots of detergent, you still have to rinse it out. These cycles won't heat the water much above 40º, if they even get that hot. Its something those who couldn't care less use, and they are the ones with mucky looking (and smelly) clothes. 

 

As for dishwashing, its very concerning to hear your troubles with your GE Washman. No one should have to use 3x the detergent to see adequate results. About 3 weeks ago, I purchased two Powders other than Finish from the Supermarket, both Phosphate Free (Finish is still heavily phosphated). That was Morning Fresh and "Earth" detergent.

Both aren't quite as strong as Finish, but both do a wonderful job on the dishes. I think the Earth detergent is the weakest though, so I only use it on loads that aren't too demanding. Otherwise, either Powder will suffice - and this is on my DishDrawer's 50 minute Delicate-Eco cycle (Cancelled when drying starts) - which does wonders on even 4 or 5 day old soils. For whatever reason, Delicates (Cooler, Less spray pressure) works better than the "Fast" cycles. I can't figure out why! They are almost identical, excluding the 3rd rinse. 

 

[iheartmaytag]

Quick wash is designed when you have a small load of several lightly soiled items that just need refreshed. I used it once, it worked for what it was intended.
Only time I notice it taking a long time for a regular wash is if I am wanting to go to bed and move the towels to the dryer, or if I am doing the beds. Thing I remember is I am washing about twice the amount of clothes in one load which more or less equals the time it would have taken for two loads with my old machine.

Washman:
My Kitchenaid says it takes longer to save energy. It will actually wash both racks at the same time, a full moderate normal soiled level will complete in about 1:40. I honestly don't care that much how long the dishes take, I leave them til the morning in most cases to unload. If there is compangy I will use the 1 hr wash, good results.

 

[washdaddy]

another dishwasher saga-

My landlord replaced my dishwasher about four month's ago with a Frigidaire tall tub unit. It was replacing a Kenmore branded GE BOL that was at least 20 yrs old that I couldn't stand. I didn't like the racks (stupid saucer rack because of the collapsing wash tower in the center of the machine). Another rule of thumb for me is - If it's in my kitchen it's dishwasher safe! Large pots and pans in the old GE were a PIA. Heavy cycle lasted about an hour. Detergent cup would sometimes stick. When the door springs snapped on it- (Getting hit in the shins with a free falling door- NOT FUN! I didn't need to have my leg broken again) the maintenance staff ordered the new dishwasher!

Frigidaire holds everything I put into it with no problems. But it uses the alternate wash arm method no matter what cycle you use and it takes on average 2.5 hrs. Longer cycle...yeah...but at least the dishes come out clean. All I use is one Finish Quantum pack and use the normal high temp cycle. The length of time it takes I adapted to. Now I just start it before going to bed and do the unload in the morning.

 

[NYCWriter]

Ben, you NAILED it!

These so-called "green" initiatives -- many that have been turned into laws -- are forcing millions of people to mindlessly comply with a questionable agenda.

 

[mattywashboy]

I have just bought a Beko washer to replace my Electrolux. Im very very happy with it so far and have only used the Daily/Quick cycle so far. The great thing about this cycle is you can wash in any temperature and it adjusts the time accordingly but never exceeding an hour. I think the longest wash at 90 might be like 1:10 but thats as far as it goes.
It does three deep rinses with the recirculation jets on and at distribute speed so its a very intense rinse to watch. It does a shortish 600 rpm spin after the wash and second rinse and then does the softener rinse and final spin which is maxed out at 1400RPM. The spin speed max on the machine is 1600RPM. If i really want the 1600 spin i put the machine on the rinse hold on the daily quick wash and then start a full length spin at 1600rpm by shifting the cycle across to the Spin/Drain section. Clothes are clean and well rinsed so all in all the Daily Quick cycle on my new Beko is very impressive.

I'll do a seperate thread on the Beko but heres a photo of it doing its Deep Distribute Spray Rinse on the Daily Quick cycle.

Matt

 

[henene4]

Well, our Panasonic is pretty fast.
Our standard cycle at Cottons, 40°, Extra Rinse and 1400rpm *would* take 2:01 for a 8kg load. When you not pack it, it is mostly done within 1:45.
Except the spinning: It can take indeed a whole hour for the final spin if you don't help her on certain loads. On the beddingswash last friday everything balled up into one open IKEA sheet and I just get her done with it. Took 1:10min to spin+ 1:30 for 60° wash and 3 rinses.
But this washer has both, a fast option and a 50min cycle. Both are particularry the same, except the 8kg version on Cottons taking 10 min longer. And both are good cycles (as long as you keep beneath the 3/4 mark)...

 

[tomturbomatic]

Pennsylvania was one of the states with waters emptying into the Chesapeake Bay that signed on to a phosphate ban because the sewage treatment plants did not want to upgrade to filter out phosphates. Of course, the ban on phosphates in detergent did nothing to eliminate the major causes of phosphate in the water: fertilizer and animal waste from the huge poultry farms on the DelMarVa Penninsula and the other farms in those states, but the farm lobby is powerful and has influence on legislatures so farms did not have to do much. Institutional users like restaurants and hospitals did not have to stop using phosphated detergents because they have lobbyists that raised hell about them not wanting to have crappy looking machine-washed dishes. So the common people took it in the neck, as usual and the Bay still has terrible water quality problems.

 

[adamthemieleman]

It seems that the general public don't seem to trust salespeople, I know, we're not all the same, I am opposite to the stigma.
Either way, people seem to think it's fine doing all laundry on quick. The thought of towels not being washed properly and hygienically makes me cringe. If there is a cycle I could remove from any machine, it would be quick, it serves no point. Even my uniform worn once, goes on a full cycle, only I know the sweat, deodorant, collar and cuff grime will be removed, something quick wash struggles with.

Our Miele manages to do a full cycle on Cottons 60 and 40 in 1:50, which I think is perfectly reasonable, but to some people, it's too long. How can this be too long? You wouldn't wash yourself in cold water quickly, so why should you do so with laundry? Think I'm going to ask that from now on.