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The spin cycle works to extract moisture from your clothes at the end of the wash cycle. The higher the ‘RPM’ the drier the clothes are, reducing additional drying time in either the tumble dryer or by hanging outside. Aside from the uses for a high speed spin, the ‘anti-crease’ function on washing machines works by turning the drum slowly every few seconds, preventing any ‘set-in’ creases from forming on your clothes; this also reduces ironing time.

Spin Cycles

As a rule, the higher the specification of washing machine you go for, the more spin speeds that are available for you to choose from. Ideally, you need to select the highest spin speed that is suitable for the type of wash load that you are cleaning. This will remove the most amount of water possible without damaging your clothes.

The spin speeds can be selected by using the control on the front of your machine, next to your programme dial. You should always select a spin speed as without this your clothes will be dripping wet when the cycle has finished. If your spin is not working, you should contact our friendly Customer Helpline team.

As a rule, lower spin settings are perfect for delicate fabrics and prevent parts of garments such as sleeves getting tangled. A fast spin speed is perfect for towels or heavy fabrics like denim. The spin is measured in ‘revolutions per min’ or RPM. This literally means the number of times the drum rotates in that time. If your spin cycle is noisy, check that it is balanced correctly and avoid overloading the machine.


Washing Machine and Washer Dryer Symbols

Do you know what all the different symbols on your washing machine or tumble dryer actually mean? Or do you just stick to the same one every time? Now you don’t need to, our expert guide explains all the symbols on your washing machine, helping you to get the most out of washing!

These symbols explained below are located on all of our washing machines and washer dryers.

Programme selector dial

The programme selector dial is where most of the action happens and will allow you to select the type of programme you wish to wash your clothes on. You can pick a programme based on the type of clothing you’re washing, for example cotton, or how quick you want your wash to be, for example the rapid 15 min programme.

  


Washing Machine and Dryer Programmes Explained

Wash Cycles

 – Cotton Eco
This program is a longer-than-standard cotton programme which is more economical. Normal cotton settings wash on high temperatures for shorter periods of time, using more electricity and therefore not as eco-friendly as it could be. The cotton eco setting washes at a lower temperature of 40°c for 2 hours 4o minutes. By using lower temperatures, and less water over a longer time, it uses less energy, thus making this setting more eco-friendly and saving money on household builds.

 – Cotton 60°C
This setting is a standard cotton programme with a longer duration and intensive cleaning. Washing at a higher temperature of 60°C will deliver better results and is good for removing greasy stains. This temperature setting is also ideal for washing bedding and towels. The standard 60°C and 40°C cotton programmes are suitable to clean soiled cotton laundry, they are also the most efficient in terms of combined energy and water consumption.

– Cotton 40°C
This setting delivers a longer and intensive clean, perfect for washing cotton items. Washing at 40°C is a popular setting to use and one that most households will choose. This temperature is better for harder everyday cotton items, however washing at 30°C would be better for softer cotton. This programme runs on a lower temperature of 40°C, but unlike the eco cotton mode, it runs for a shorter time and on a faster spin.

– Cotton 20°C
This setting washes on a low temperature, has a faster spin and runs for a shorter duration. Since 2013 all washing machines within the UK are required to have a 20° setting option present on the control panel, this is to try and reduce the amount of energy being used.

– Rapid 15 Min / Quick
This programme is suitable for light loads with light soiling of which you would like to be cleaned quickly. This setting performs better when loaded lightly, as it is a fast spin. This setting is perfect if you have a washing emergency and need a piece of clothing as quickly as possible. This is a cold wash so is therefore more energy efficient.

– Hand Wash (Eco)
This programme is suited for light loads with light soiling. The default temperature is cold and effectively washes as if you were hand washing the clothes yourself. This load works better with smaller amounts of clothing and runs for a short time period of 1 hour. Soft cottons, all types of wool, and delicate linens are all suitable to be washed on this setting. Items that are embroided with details such as sequins or beads, will also benefit from this wash setting. Clothing that is labelled hand wash can be washed on this programme, as the spin is designed to reflect how you would wash your clothes in the sink.

– Rinse and Spin
This programme simply rinses the load and then spins it. This setting doesn’t use any form of detergent and isn’t to be used as a form of deep cleaning. It rinses the clothing with clean water and then spins at a fast speed to remove any moisture from the load. If you have allergies or sensitive skin that can be irritated by washing detergent, this form of rinse can be useful to run after a wash to remove any detergent residue left on clothing.

– Spin Only
This programme spins the load at the selected spin speed chosen. This setting can be used after a wash to, remove excess water, however the clothing will not be fully dry.

– Drain
This programme is intended to drain the machine of water. If you have selected the wrong programme and the machine has started to fill, you can use this programme to drain the water before starting a new cycle. It is also useful if you have soaked a tub or similar vessel of clothes and wish to drain them off.

– Wool
This programme is suited for woollen items that are clearly labelled as machine washable. You need to select the appropriate temperature according to the garment’s label(s). Also, ensure that you use the correct detergent. If you do not have a wool setting on your washing machine, it is best to wash woollen items on a colder setting for the better results.

– Delicate
This programme is suited for delicate garments. The intensity of the wash and drum rotation speed is gentler than other main cycles. This short, cold wash is best used for items such as lingerie or embellished items.

– Mixed Load
This programme is suited for mixed fabric loads that require a more intense cleaning cycle. Ensure label warnings on garments are conformed to. This load operates on a temperature of 40°C and spins at maximum speed.

– Synthetic
This programme is suited for slightly delicate garments and mixed loads. Synthetic programmes can also be known as easy care as they are designed for non-cotton garments. The default temperature is 40°C and it spins at a lower rate than the mixed setting does. Synthetic garments are often blended with wool, cotton or other synthetic materials. Many synthetic materials are derived from plastic, therefore washing at high temperatures could damage the clothing.

– Sport
This setting is best suited for sportswear with a fair level of soiling. The sport setting will be ideal for removing sweat marks and odours without damaging the fabric. The default temperature setting for this programme is 40°C and runs for a longer period of time.

– Anti-Allergy/Hygiene
This useful programme is suited for washing garments for people with sensitive skin and/or allergies, it is also suitable for baby wear. This setting is best known for removing allergens from your laundry by running the machine at a high temperature of 60°C to rid clothes of germs and bacteria that are stored within the fabrics of your clothing. The extra rinse at the end of the cycle and the higher temperature delivers better cleaning results and effectively sanitises your clothing.

– Colours
This programme is suited for coloured garments, they need special care as they can easily fade and lose the brightness quickly. The default temperature is cold which should stop the colours from fading, it is ran on an hour long setting at a fast spin speed.

– Prewash
This programme provides an extra cycle for heavily/excessively soiled clothing, on a low temperature before the main wash cycle begins, this will provide a deeper wash for your clothing.

– Extra rinse
This function adds up to 3 extra rinse cycles to the programme, which is ideal for large loads and garments belonging to people with sensitive skin. But you should be aware that this function will increase the water consumption.

– Drum Clean
This useful setting cleans your drum to ensure that it is running as effectively as possible. You need to ensure that your drum is empty with no clothing in at all. It will then spin at a fast rate at a very high temperature of 90°C. This will remove any residue from the drum including softener and detergent that has built up inside. It will also prevent unpleasant smells coming from the drum, making sure the interior is sparkling clean.

– MyChoice
This new programme will allow you to build and save your favourite programme and function for quick and easy selection. All you need to do is press the ‘Spin speed button’ for approximately 3 seconds for the machine to remember the cycle/setup of your choice. The default setting for the MyChoice cycle is the Cotton eco setting. Once you have created and saved a cycle as per the above steps, this will be the MyChoice cycle until changed.


Dry Cycles

– Refresh
This dry programme is for clean items that need to be aired. It is a quick cycle compared to other programmes on offer. It can be useful for clothing that has been in storage or been in a wardrobe for too long.

– Dry
Dry is a setting used for cotton, linens and synthetic clothing. This programme will tumble your clothing whilst blowing hot air into the drum to dry the load. Make sure that you are not overloading your drum, otherwise the clothing will not dry effectively. Your washer dryer will tell you what load it can accommodate.


Dry and Wash Cycles

– Ready to wear
This is a relatively quick wash and dry cycle designed for loads no heavier than 1 kg. Lightweight synthetic clothes are recommended only for this type of setting. Thick garments such as towels and jeans, etc. will affect the cycle time. The drum detects the weight of the load and moisture levels before adjusting the cycle time accordingly.

– Programme Selection and Display
Once you have chosen the programme you wish to use turn the programme selector dial to the required setting. The display screen will then show the programme duration.

– Rinse hold
This function pauses the programme before the final rinse water is set to drain away. This holds the clothes in water to prevent them from creasing. The indicator will flash when the rinse hold function is in progress. To start the final spin cycle, you will need to press the rinse hold button again. The indicator will switch off and the final spin programme will start.


Other Washing Machine Buttons and Symbols 

– On/Off Button
This button simply turns the machine on and off.

– Delay Timer Button
This useful feature will enable you to add a delay of up to 24 hours onto your washing time. This programme will allow the wash cycle to finish at a convenient time. Half hour increments can be added to set the wash cycle to end at a time that is going to be suitable for you. This is handy if you want to set the wash to end just as you come home from work, this saves your load sitting in the drum. To start this function simply press the button labelled start delay and continue to press the button, adding 30 minutes on each time, until you achieve the time that you require. But do be aware that it is a maximum of 24 hours and it is not available for the spin programme.

– Temperature Selection Button
Each selected programme has its own pre-set wash temperature that can be found in the manual if required. When you press the temperature selection button the current set temperature will show on the display. You can change the wash temperature if required by pressing the temperature selection button a number of times, until you see the temperature you would like the load to be washed at. If you miss the temperature you want you can come back round to it again by pressing the button a few more times.

– Spin Speed Button
Each selected programme has its own pre-set spin speed that it will spin at if not changed, these spin speeds will be listed in the product manual. If you press the spin speed button the set spin speed will show on the display. You can reduce and change this or switch it off completely if required by pressing the spin speed button a number of times. If you miss the speed you want you can come back round to it again by pressing the button few more times.
It is also useful to know that a programme without a final spin is used to prevent creasing when washing special fabrics.

– Additional functions
The extra functions button can be selected once the programme has been set. To select any extra function, press the required additional function button. The programme table that can be found in your product manual shows the functions available for each programme, functions available include extra rinse and pre wash. The programme time shown on the display will reduce or increase, according to the additional functions selected.

– Start/Pause Button
Press the start / pause button to start the selected wash programme you have chosen, the indicator light will stay on. If this is pressed again while the machine is running a programme, the washer will pause and the indicator light will flash.

– Dry Level Button
This button allows you to change the level of drying, but only on dry cycles. By pressing this button a number of times it will then show the desired level on the display screen. You can choose from extra dry, normal dry and gentle dry.

Extra dry is the least energy efficient option due to the amount of energy it will use to dry your load. But it is ideal for drying clothes quickly.
Normal dry is the standard drying option that your machine will dry to if you have not edited the level in anyway.

The final option, gentle dry, is the most energy efficient option to choose from. This mode should be used on loads that are mostly dry, after the spin cycle has finished. This setting is ideal for delicate garments that do not require an intense dry.

– Key lock
The lock function ensures that the programme will not be affected if any buttons are pressed accidentally, this is really handy if you have young children. Only the on/off button remains active. The lock function should be activated after the wash programme has been selected. Each model will have certain buttons that it requires you to push together to activate the key lock and to deactivate it. You can find this information in your product manual. An example of buttons you may need to push, could be the temperature selection button and the spin speed together.

– Power cuts
If there is a power cut the electricity to your machine will be cut off. When the electricity comes back on the washing programme will continue to run from where it stopped.

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