Get the Right Clothing Care For Every Fabric
Get the right clothing care for every fabric
Take the guesswork out of caring for clothes with our guide to washer and dryer settings. If you’ve ever wondered when and how to wash different fabric types, keep reading.
Since drying and washing machine cycles may vary across appliances — even between front load and top load washers from the same brand — be sure to check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
How to Choose Washing Machine Settings and Dryer Cycles
Choosing the right cycle starts with how you sort clothes. Sort by fabric type first. If you’re worried about colors bleeding from newer items or using different additives in the wash cycle (for instance, bleach with whites or brighteners with colors), further sort laundry by color.
Cotton and linen clothing
Washing machine settings: Normal
Dryer settings: Normal, Cottons or Less Dry
Bright and dark colors
Washing machine settings: Colors, Darks or Cold Water Wash
Dryer settings: Colors or Darks
Whites
Washing machine settings: Whites
Dryer settings: Whites
Care Tip: The Whites cycle will dispense liquid chlorine bleach at the right time.
Denim and jeans
Washing machine settings: Normal, Darks or Heavy Duty
Dryer settings: Jeans, More Dry or Very Dry
Care Tip: Wash your favorite pair of jeans on the Normal or Darks cycle. For denim work clothes that need extra help getting clean, turn to the Heavy Duty cycle.
Dress clothes with no-iron or synthetic fabrics
Washing machine settings: Wrinkle Control, Permanent Press or Casuals
Dryer settings: Wrinkle Control, Permanent Press, Casuals or Less Dry
Sweaters and wool
Washing machine settings: Delicate, Hand Wash or Gentle
Dryer settings: Delicate or Less Dry
Care Tip: Prefer to dry without heat? Choose a No Heat, Fluff Air or Air Only cycle.
Athletic wear
Washing machine settings: Casuals, Permanent Press or Wrinkle Control
Dryer settings: Delicate or Less Dry
Delicates, machine washable silk and lace
Washing machine settings: Delicate, Hand Wash or Gentle
Dryer settings: Delicate or Less Dry
Coats and jackets
Washing machine settings: Bedding, Sheets or Bulky
Dryer settings: Bedding, Sheets, Bulky, Heavy Duty or Heavy Dry
Care Tip: Heavier items require higher temperatures to dry.
Bedding
Washing machine settings: Bedding, Sheets or Bulky
Dryer settings: Bedding, Sheets, Bulky, Heavy Duty or Heavy Dry
Care Tip: These cycles use wash action designed to help keep large items from tangling or balling up.
Towels
Washing machine settings: Heavy Duty or Towels
Dryer settings: Towels, More Dry, Very Dry, Heavy Dry or Heavy Duty
Care Tip: Refrain from adding fabric softener to loads of towels, as it makes them less absorbent.
Looking for more customizable laundry cycles?
Consider Whirlpool® washers and dryers with Intuitive Touch Controls. The unique design makes it easy to choose the right settings for each load — just select “what” and “how” you want to wash or dry. See our full lineup of washers and dryers designed to help you keep up with everyday messes.
More laundry tips and tricks
What do those laundry symbols actually mean?
We get it; your clothes’ care tags are as indecipherable as your kids’ geometry homework. We’ll help crack the code.
What does tumble dry mean
To tumble dry or not to tumble dry: that is the question. Wait, what does tumble dry even mean? Find out here.
Why you should be using HE detergent in your washing machine
Like your young athletes who perform best when they’re fueled with healthy food, your HE washer works best with HE detergent.
Appliance IQ
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