Myth, washing for longer helps

Short answer: A longer programme does not make clothes cleaner. After the first thirty to forty minutes the dirt has been loosened, and the rest of the time is simply mechanical wear. It therefore pays to choose the programme based on how dirty the clothes are.

What happens in the washing machine

A wash consists of three things working together: water, detergent and movement. The water wets the fibres, the detergent loosens dirt and grease, and the movement of the drum helps rinse it all away. It sounds as if more time must mean more effect, but that is not how it works. Most of the job happens early.

Dirt comes loose early

Soap and water do their work in the first part of the programme. Once the clothes are soaked and the detergent has had time to act, the dirt lets go of the fibres and stays in the water. That usually happens within the first thirty to forty minutes. After that there is little more to gain for everyday clothes. See bamboo panties.

The rest is wear

After that point the drum is only rubbing the fabric against itself with no benefit. Each turn creates a little friction between the fibres, and over many washes it shows as pilling, thinner fabric and faded colours. A two or three hour programme does not give cleaner clothes. Mostly it gives more wear on clothes you want to keep. See socks for women.

Soft clothes feel it first

Thin and soft fabrics feel the extra time the most. Elastic in waistbands and edges gets stretched and twisted again and again, and the surface of the fabric can start to fuzz. Underwear and socks are small items that get tumbled around between heavier pieces. A shorter programme protects them without any loss in cleanliness.

Choose the programme by the dirt

Lightly soiled clothes do fine with a short programme of thirty to forty minutes. That covers most of what you wear every day: underwear, tops, T-shirts and socks worn for one day. Look at the laundry instead of picking the longest programme out of habit. If there are no visible stains, a short one is usually enough. See the women's range.

When a long programme makes sense

There are times when more time is right. Very dirty clothes, where the dirt sits deep in the fibres, can need longer in the water. That might be workwear, clothes with soil on them or dried in stains. Here extra time helps, because the detergent needs to reach further in. For ordinary everyday clothes that is rarely the case.

Time, power and wear

A shorter programme saves more than time. The machine uses less electricity, because it does not have to keep the water warm and the drum turning for as long. The clothes face less friction, so colours and shape last longer. Overall, a short programme is often the best choice for both the clothes and the household.

Small habits that help

Load the machine sensibly so the clothes have room to move. An overfilled drum washes worse, however long the programme runs. Use the amount of detergent stated on the pack and turn clothes inside out. Take them out as soon as the machine is finished and hang them up. That way you get clean clothes without spending extra time.

Frequently asked questions

Do clothes get cleaner with a longer programme

No. The dirt comes loose in the first part, and the rest of the time just wears the fibres without cleaning more. A short programme is enough for most everyday clothes.

When does a long programme make sense

With very dirty clothes, where the dirt sits deep in the fibres and needs more time in the water. That might be workwear or clothes with dried in stains.

Can you use a short programme for everything

For lightly soiled everyday clothes, yes. It cleans just as well and saves time, power and wear, so clothes keep their shape and colour for longer.