WASHING MACHINE CYCLES AND SETTINGS EXPLAINED
Whether you need a normal wash for everyday clothes, a specific cycle for colors or fabrics, or a power boost for tough stains, understanding washer settings and cycles can help you get the right clean for the fabric type and soil level of your laundry.
Read on to discover how to choose a wash setting, along with washing machine cycle times. Make sure to refer to your model-specific owner’s manual for more information on selecting washer cycles. Always check clothing care tags for instructions before choosing washing machine settings.
Maytag® washing machines
Designed for performance, control and convenience
Maytag® washing machines take stain fighting seriously with cycles built to push the limits of power
NORMAL WASH CYCLE
Combines high spin speeds and warm water.
WHEN TO USE
For normally soiled cottons, linens, sheets and mixed garment loads.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Warm
WHITES WASH CYCLE
Uses a longer wash time with extra rinsing, and an extra-fast-speed spin to help provide optimal cleaning and rinsing when bleach is used.
WHEN TO USE
For heavily-soiled white fabrics and garments. You can also add chlorine bleach when washing white cotton, synthetics or other bleach-safe fabrics, if it is safe for your washer.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Very Warm/Hot
CYCLE TIME
About 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours and 50 minutes
COLORS WASH CYCLE
Combines cool water with a high spin speed.
WHEN TO USE
For heavily-soiled bright- and dark-colored mixed laundry loads with items such as activewear and jeans.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Cool
CYCLE TIME
About 55 minutes to 1-1/4 hours
DELICATE WASH CYCLE
Combines gentle wash action and low-speed spin for gentle cleaning and reduced wrinkling.
WHEN TO USE
For lightly soiled sheer fabrics, lingerie, sweaters, blouses, pants or anything recommending a “gentle” cycle on the tag.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Cold
CYCLE TIME
About 45 minutes to 1-1/4 hours
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COLD WATER WASH
Uses cold water with additional wash action to help gently lift stains.
WHEN TO USE
For washing bright or darkly colored cotton, linens, casual items, mixed loads or clothes with cold water stains.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Cold
CYCLE TIME
About 50 minutes to 1-1/2 hours
RINSE & SPIN CYCLE
Combines a rinse and high-speed spin. Use on its own or add to loads needing an extra rinse.
WHEN TO USE
For items that need a rinse without detergent, such as swimwear.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Varies
CYCLE TIME
About 15 to 20 minutes
QUICK WASH CYCLE
Combines high-speed tumbling, a shortened wash time and an extra-high-speed spin for reduced drying times.
WHEN TO USE
For small loads of 2-4 lightly soiled garments that need to be cleaned quickly.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Warm
CYCLE TIME
About 15 to 40 minutes
PERMANENT PRESS CYCLE
Uses warm water and slower spin cycles to release existing wrinkles and help prevent new ones from setting. Some washers have wrinkle prevention cycles that function in a similar way to permanent press, like the Wrinkle Control option by Maytag brand.
WHEN TO USE
Used for washing fabrics that wrinkle easily like dresses and professional clothing. This setting also works well with fabrics designed to be wrinkle-free. Look for the permanent press symbol (above) on your item’s care tag. Compare normal vs. permanent press cycles to choose the best one for your laundry needs.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Warm
CYCLE TIME
About 50 minutes to 1-1/4 hours
WRINKLE CONTROL CYCLE
Reduces wrinkles with warm water and low spin speeds. During a Wrinkle Control cycle, warm water helps keep fabrics from relaxing and creasing during spins, while lower speeds help minimize tangling and decrease the force of clothes as they rub against the basket walls.
WHEN TO USE
For no-iron fabrics and professional clothes such as button-up shirts, blouses, trousers, pants and dresses.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Warm
CYCLE TIME
About 50 minutes to 1-1/4 hours
SANITIZE WASH CYCLE
Uses hot or extra-hot water to help kill the most common bacteria found in laundry. Some sanitize cycles require the use of an Oxi product in the Oxi dispenser of the washer.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Hot/Extra Hot
CYCLE TIME
About 1-1/2 hours to 1 hour and 50 minutes
HEAVY DUTY WASH CYCLE
Combines extra wash action, heated water and high spin speeds for a deep clean.
WHEN TO USE
For sturdy, extra-dirty loads that need intense cleaning. On select Maytag® top load washers, you can use the Extra Power button during the Heavy Duty cycle, or any cycle you choose, to boost stain-fighting performance with a dual-temperature wash.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Very Warm/Hot
CYCLE TIME
About 1 to 2-1/4 hours
EXTRA POWER SETTING
Combines increased time with a vigorous wash motion. Extra Power boosts stain-fighting performance on any wash cycle with an intense pre-wash and extra agitation.
WHEN TO USE
Use when you need to add stain-fighting power to any laundry load.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Varies
CYCLE TIME
Varies
DEEP WATER WASH CYCLE
Additional water works with robust wash action to effectively break down and rinse away everyday tough messes. For more water when you want it, the Deep Fill option fills the wash basket with your choice of deeper water levels.2 This option is only available on top load washers.
WHEN TO USE
For heavily soiled casual and mixed loads. Items could include towels, jeans and sturdy fabrics.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Warm
CYCLE TIME
About 1 to 1-1/4 hours
BEDDING WASH CYCLE
Fills the washer with enough water to wet down the load. Some washers fill with higher water levels than other cycles.
WHEN TO USE
For washing large items like sheets, pillows, sleeping bags, small comforters, jackets and small rugs.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Warm
CYCLE TIME
About 50 minutes to 2 hours
TOWELS WASH CYCLE
Uses a higher default water level that provides additional water and alternating wash action.
WHEN TO USE
For heavily-soiled towels, jeans, mixed loads and sturdy fabrics.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Warm
CYCLE TIME
About 65 minutes to 2 hours
SHOP MAYTAG® WASHING MACHINES
With a Maytag® washing machine you can tackle your laundry messes with features on select models like Extra Power and the Sanitize cycle. Backed by a 10-year limited parts warranty, Maytag brand washing machines are built to last.3
MAYTAG® PERFORMANCE LINEUP
POWER PACKAGES THAT GET THE JOB DONE
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1. Models with Extra Power option: MVW8230H, MVW7230H. Based on cleaning score of 18-lb load, among leading top load brands, 5.0–5.4 cu. ft. capacity agitator washers; models MVW6230H & MVW6230RH based on 16-lb load, among leading top load brands, 4.5–4.9 cu. ft. capacity agitator washers; model MVW7232H based on 18-lb load, among leading top load brands, 5.0–5.4 cu. ft. capacity impeller washers. All models with Heavy Duty cycle plus Extra Power vs. comparable cycles and options.
2. Bulky Items cycle only available with deepest water level.
3. See product warranty for details.
