Whereas previous generations still had to wash their laundry by hand, today we simply select the washing programme, temperature and spin setting. The washing machine reliably takes care of the rest. The fast short programmes - Modern washing machines seem to make sense both in terms of saving time and being environmentally friendly: After all, less time means less power consumption - or does it? Here you can find out whether washing in the short wash programme makes sense and whether the laundry actually gets as clean as in the standard programmes.
Quick wash programmes are tempting: clean laundry in a much shorter time simply sounds too good. But what exactly are quick wash programmes on the washing machine intended for? Manufacturers' manuals usually recommend the quick cycle for laundry that is only lightly soiled or needs a quick refresh. Clothes that are no longer clean enough for the wardrobe but are too clean for a proper wash can simply be put in the washing machine for 15 to 30 minutes on a short programme. This seems sensible: after all, washing in the washing machine can stress the textile fibres and cause colours to fade more quickly. The shorter the better is therefore the logical conclusion.
If you have not yet tried the short programme in your washing machine, you are probably wondering whether the laundry is just as clean afterwards as it is after a normal wash cycle. The answer here is clearly no. This is explained by the manufacturer's statement that the short programme is only recommended for light soiling. If you start the short programme on your washing machine, the duration is reduced to a fraction of the regular running time. This means that the individual steps of the wash cycle are shortened. As the water and detergent have less time to dissolve dirt and stains, deep-set stains and soiling are still present even after the short wash programme.
So deep-clean laundry in 15 minutes is still a pipe dream. But what about the other benefits of short wash programmes? A washing programme that only needs around a tenth of the time for a cycle compared to other programmes should have a positive effect on the electricity bill. Unfortunately, appearances are deceptive: a washing machine consumes most of the electricity while it is heating the water. This does not change if you select the short programme on your washing machine. On the contrary: consumption actually increases because the machine has to work faster. Tests have shown that both electricity and water consumption are higher with short wash programmes than with standard programmes.
This also explains the long running times of the washing machines' eco programmes. If you have ever wondered why a programme that is supposed to save electricity often takes up to three hours: In contrast to the short wash programme, the detergent has more time to get to grips with the stains and odours and therefore has a better effect. The machine therefore only has to maintain the high temperature for a short time and the drum moves more slowly. The combination of these two factors is an advantage over short wash programmes. From a hygienic and financial point of view, it therefore makes more sense to select eco mode instead of the short wash programme. Patience also pays off when washing laundry.