How Long Will A 30 Degree Wash Take? (here’s what you need to know)

The 30 degree C wash cycle on a washing machine is usually a short cycle. In many cases it is the shortest cycle of any available on the appliance. The usual duration of the 30 degrees C wash cycle is around 15 to 30 minutes depending on the make and model of your machine.

What Is The 30 Degree C Wash Cycle For?

The 30 degree C wash cycle is designed for washing delicate items or clothes that are not particularly dirty. The wash, rinse and spin are all extremely short and the drum operates with a gentle agitation.

This is ideal for washing delicate items but not so good for cleaning more robust fabrics like cotton. Some machines have a dedicated 30 degree cotton cycle which has been designed to wash cotton at 30 degrees.

However the standard 30 degree wash cycle is often not sufficient to wash cotton items.

What Are The Benefits Of A 30 Degree Wash Cycle?

The main advantages of using the 30 degree wash cycle include;

• Energy Saving
  As the 30 degree C wash cycle uses relatively cool water, it uses less electricity to heat the water up.
• Time Saving
  The average duration of the 30 degree wash cycle is around 15 to 30 minutes. This means the items can be washed and dried in less than ½ a day.
• Money Saving
  As the 30 degree cycle uses less electricity, it saves on the cost of your energy bills.
• Environmentally Friendly
  The 30 degree wash cycle is a short cycle that uses a minimum amount of water and electricity which makes it an environmentally friendly programme.

What Are The Drawbacks Of A 30 Degree Wash Cycle?

The main disadvantages of using a 30 degree wash cycle include;

• Not Suitable For All Fabrics
  The 30 degree wash cycle is not suitable for all fabrics, it’s often not good enough to clean cotton for example.
• Won’t Clean Heavily Soiled Garments
  If your clothes are heavily stained with ingrained dirt, the 30 degree cycle will not be capable of removing those stains. You will either need a hotter wash cycle or you’ll have to pretreat or pre-soak the clothes first.
• Can Shorten The Lifespan Of Your Appliance
  Using a short wash cycle all the time can cause the machine to break down more frequently.
• Often Limited Load Capacity
  Many 30 degree cycles have a weight limit of 1 to 2 kg.
• Will Not Remove Bacteria
  Many germs and bacteria can survive at 30 degrees C. To remove these you will need a hotter wash cycle or the addition of a laundry sanitiser.

How Can A 30 Degree Wash Cycle Work For Normal Wash Loads?

On many washing machines it is possible to alter the temperature on certain cycles and programmes. If you want to save energy and money by washing your regular wash load at 30 degrees it is often as simple as manually selecting the temperature setting.

For instance, if your regular wash cycle is a 40 degree cycle, you would select this wash and then manually override the temperature setting by selecting 30 degrees.

However, the savings could be less substantial than you might think. Some experts have concluded that switching from 40 degrees to 30 degree washes will save an average of £40 per year.

That’s less than £1 per week for clothes that will not be as hygienically clean or actually as clean either!

What Clothes Will Benefit From A 30 Degree C Wash Cycle?

The main types of clothes that will benefit from a 30 degree wash cycle include;

• Coloured Items
  Some coloured items have the potential to run at higher temperatures.
• Baby Clothes
  Baby clothes are less likely to shrink at 30 degrees. However, if those baby clothes have any bodily fluids like vomit etc, they will need a laundry sanitiser to remove germs and bacteria.
• Delicate Items
  Delicate items are less likely to shrink at 30 degrees C.

Can You Wash Towels At 30 Degrees C?

You can wash towels at 30 degrees C if your intention is just to spruce them up. However, any germs or bacteria present in the towels before washing at 30 C will still be present afterwards. Unless you use a laundry sanitiser or wash at a higher temperature.

Are There Any Quicker Wash Cycles Than A 30 Degree Cycle?

Yes, there are quicker wash cycles available on most modern washing machines. The quickest among them is the “Quick Wash” cycle. 

The Quick Wash cycle is designed for those situations where you need to wash a small load of lightly soiled clothes in a hurry. Here’s some FAQs about the Quick Wash cycle:

How Long Is The Duration?

The Quick Wash cycle is known for its speed, and its duration can vary from one washing machine to another. On average, it can take anywhere between 14 to 60 minutes. 

This makes it ideal for situations where you need clean clothes quickly, hence why we thought it was worth sharing in this article.

How Many Clothes Can You Wash At One Time?

The Quick Wash cycle is typically intended for smaller loads, usually around 1 to 2 kg of laundry. In contrast, a standard full load cycle on a 30 degree wash can handle the full maximum capacity of your machine. 

It’s important to note that trying to wash a full load using the Quick Wash cycle may result in a poor cleaning performance.

Does It Work With Heavily Soiled Clothes?

The Quick Wash cycle is most effective for clothes that are lightly soiled or not very dirty. Attempting to clean heavily soiled laundry with a Quick Wash cycle is not recommended, as it may not provide sufficient cleaning and sanitisation.

Do You Need To Pre-Soak With The Quick Wash?

For heavily soiled clothes, it’s possible to use the Quick Wash cycle more effectively if you pre-soak the garments for a few hours before running the cycle. 

Pre-soaking helps loosen the dirt and stains, improving the cleaning performance of the quick wash.

Is It A Cold Wash Too?

Typically, the Quick Wash cycle runs at a cool temperature, around 30 degrees Celsius. 

How Effective Is The Spin Cycle & Rinse?

The Quick Wash cycle often includes a limited spin cycle, which means that clothes might come out damper than usual. 

Also, the rinse in the Quick Wash cycle may not be as thorough as in a regular cycle, potentially leaving some soap residue on the clothes.

Is It Better Than The Regular 30 Degree Wash Cycle?

In terms of overall cleaning results, the standard 30 degree wash is going to perform better than a quick wash as it’s more thorough. However, if you’re looking for speed, the quick wash does a good job and usually washes at the same temperature anyway.

SEE ALSO: Will Washing At 30 Degrees Kill Bacteria? (here’s what you need to know)

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