Getting your first washing machine can be both exciting and slightly overwhelming. Whether you've just moved out of home, upgraded from a laundromat routine, or simply never paid much attention to how the washing gets done, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to use your washing machine confidently and effectively.
Before Your First Wash
Installation Checks
Before using your new washing machine, ensure it's properly installed. If it was professionally installed, these checks should already be done, but it's worth verifying. The machine should be level and stable, with no rocking when you push on the corners. Water inlet hoses should be securely connected to both the machine and your taps, with no visible leaks. The drain hose should be properly positioned in the standpipe or laundry tub.
For front loaders, check that the transit bolts have been removed. These are large bolts inserted during shipping to secure the drum. Running the machine with transit bolts still in place can cause serious damage. The bolts are usually accessed from the back of the machine, and your manual will show their location.
First Wash Requirement
Most manufacturers recommend running an empty cycle before your first proper wash. This flushes out any residue from manufacturing and testing. Use hot water and a small amount of detergent or a washing machine cleaner, then run a complete cycle.
Read the Manual
This might seem obvious, but many people skip the manual and miss important information specific to their machine. At minimum, familiarise yourself with the control panel, understand what each cycle is designed for, and note any special features or requirements. Keep the manual somewhere accessible for future reference.
Understanding Your Machine's Controls
Common Wash Cycles
While specific cycle names vary by brand, most machines include these basic options:
- Normal/Cotton: The standard cycle for everyday items like cotton t-shirts, underwear, towels, and sheets. Uses regular agitation and a full spin cycle.
- Delicates/Gentle: Reduced agitation and slower spin speeds for fragile fabrics like lingerie, silk blouses, and lace items.
- Permanent Press/Easy Care: Designed for synthetic fabrics and blended materials. Uses medium agitation and a slower spin to reduce wrinkles.
- Quick Wash: A shorter cycle for lightly soiled items that need freshening up rather than deep cleaning. Usually 15-30 minutes.
- Heavy Duty: Extended wash time with vigorous agitation for heavily soiled work clothes, muddy sports gear, or greasy items.
Temperature Settings
Water temperature affects both cleaning effectiveness and fabric care:
- Cold (below 30°C): Best for darks, colours that might bleed, and delicate fabrics. Saves energy and is gentler on clothes. Modern detergents work well in cold water.
- Warm (30-40°C): Good all-purpose temperature for moderately soiled everyday items. Balances cleaning power with fabric care.
- Hot (above 40°C): Best for whites, heavily soiled items, and bedding. Helps sanitise and remove stubborn stains but can shrink or fade some fabrics.
Preparing Your Laundry
Sorting Basics
Proper sorting prevents colour bleeding, ensures appropriate wash settings, and protects delicate items from damage.
By colour: Separate whites, lights, and darks. New coloured items, especially reds and dark blues, are most likely to bleed and should be washed separately for the first few washes.
By fabric type: Heavy items like jeans and towels should be washed separately from lightweight items like t-shirts and underwear. Delicates need their own gentle cycle.
By soil level: Very dirty items should be washed separately from lightly soiled clothes, or they might transfer dirt to cleaner items.
Laundry Bag Essential
Invest in mesh laundry bags for delicates, bras, and items with hooks or straps. These protect the items from damage and prevent them from tangling with other clothes or getting caught in the drum.
Pre-Wash Preparation
Before loading, always check pockets for tissues, coins, keys, and other items. Close zippers to prevent snagging. Turn dark items inside out to reduce fading. Treat any visible stains with stain remover and let it sit according to the product directions.
Using Detergent Correctly
Choosing the Right Detergent
If you have a high-efficiency (HE) machine, which includes most modern front loaders and many top loaders, you must use HE detergent. Regular detergent produces too many suds for these machines, which can cause poor rinsing, residue buildup, and even damage over time.
Liquid detergents dissolve well in cold water and are good for pre-treating stains. Powder detergents are often more economical and work well in warm or hot water. Pods are convenient but can be more expensive per load.
How Much to Use
More detergent doesn't mean cleaner clothes. Excess detergent leaves residue on fabrics, can irritate skin, and builds up inside the machine. Follow the dosing instructions on the package, adjusting for load size and soil level. Most people use too much detergent rather than too little.
If you have soft water, you may need less than recommended. Hard water areas may require slightly more. Experiment to find the right amount for your situation.
Loading the Machine
Proper Loading Technique
Don't overload the machine. Clothes need room to move for effective cleaning. For front loaders, you should be able to fit your hand between the clothes and the top of the drum. For top loaders, clothes should float freely in the water without being packed down.
Distribute items evenly around the drum rather than bunching them on one side. This helps the machine spin evenly and reduces vibration. Mix large and small items for better movement and cleaning.
Where to Add Products
Most machines have a dispenser drawer with separate compartments for detergent, fabric softener, and sometimes bleach or pre-wash detergent. These are typically marked with symbols. Main wash detergent goes in the largest compartment, fabric softener in the compartment marked with a flower symbol, and bleach in its designated compartment if available.
If using pods, place them directly in the drum before adding clothes, not in the dispenser drawer. Placing them at the back of the drum helps ensure they dissolve properly.
Running the Cycle
Select your desired cycle and temperature based on what you're washing. Add any options like extra rinse if someone in your household has sensitive skin, or delay start if you want the cycle to finish at a specific time. Press start and let the machine do its work.
Avoid opening a front loader mid-cycle unless it has a pause-and-add feature, as the door typically locks once water enters. Top loaders usually allow adding items until the wash portion is complete.
After the Cycle
Remove clothes promptly after the cycle ends to prevent mildew and wrinkles. If you can't unload immediately, at least open the door to let air circulate. Check the drum for any remaining items, especially small ones that might hide in folds or in front loader door seals.
Leave the door and dispenser drawer open between washes to let the interior dry out. This prevents mould and odour buildup, especially in front loaders.
Key Takeaway
Using a washing machine effectively comes down to a few fundamentals: sort your laundry appropriately, use the right amount of HE detergent for your machine type, don't overload, choose suitable cycles and temperatures for your fabrics, and maintain the machine by leaving the door open and cleaning regularly. With these basics mastered, you'll get great results from every wash.