Washing Machine Cycles
The normal wash cycle is a go-to for day-to-day loads. But when different stains and fabric types pile up in the laundry basket, you need a wash cycle that goes beyond the norm—like a heavy duty cycle engineered for extra dirty items or a delicate cycle designed for gentle cleaning and reduced wrinkling. Most wash cycles take about 1–2 hours to complete, but specific wash times vary by model and cycle setting.
Before washing, check your owner’s manual for specific cycle info and use and care instructions. Always check your clothing's care tag for specific requirements like dry cleaning.
Normal Wash Cycle
When To Use
For normally soiled cottons, linens, sheets and mixed garment loads.
How It Works
Combines high spin speeds and warm water. This cycle is designed to provide the most energy efficiency.
Water Temperature
Warm
Cycle Time
About 50 minutes to 1 hour
Whites Cycle
When To Use
For heavily soiled white fabrics and garments. Add chlorine bleach when washing white cotton, synthetics or other bleach-safe fabrics.
How It Works
Uses a longer wash time with extra rinsing, and an extra-fast-speed spin to provide optimal cleaning and rinsing when bleach is used.
Water Temperature
Very Warm/Hot
Cycle Time
About 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours and 50 minutes
Cold Water Wash
When To Use
Washing bright or darkly colored cotton, linens, casual items, mixed loads or clothes with cold water stains. Find out which stains need cold water with this quick guide.
How It Works
Uses cold water with additional wash action to gently lift stains.
Water Temperature
Cold
Cycle Time
About 50 minutes to 1-1/2 hours
Delicate Cycle
When To Use
For lightly soiled sheer fabrics, lingerie, sweaters, blouses, pants or anything recommending a “gentle” cycle on the tag.
How It Works
Combines gentle wash action and low-speed spin for gentle cleaning and reduced wrinkling.
Water Temperature
Cold
Cycle Time
About 45 minutes to 1-1/4 hours
Rinse & Spin Cycle
When To Use
For items that need a rinse without detergent, such as swimwear.
How It Works
Combines a rinse and high-speed spin. Use on its own or add to loads needing an extra rinse.
Water Temperature
Varies
Cycle Time
About 15 to 20 minutes
Quick Wash Cycle
When To Use
For small loads of 2–4 lightly soiled garments that need to be cleaned quickly.
How It Works
Combines high speed tumbling, a shortened wash time and an extra-high-speed spin for reduced drying times.
Water Temperature
Warm
Cycle Time
About 15 to 40 minutes
Permanent Press Cycle
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.
How It Works
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.
Water Temperature
Warm
Cycle Time
About 50 minutes to 1-1/4 hours
Heavy Duty Wash Cycle
When To Use
For sturdy, extra-dirty loads that need intense cleaning. Use the PowerWash® cycle on select Maytag® washing machines to help remove everyday tough stains in a single wash by using a combination of extra wash action and heated water. Or, on select Maytag® top load washers, press the Extra Power button during the Heavy Duty cycle to boost stain fighting and get the Most Powerful Cleaning in its class.1
How It Works
Combines extra wash action, heated water and high spin speeds for a deep clean.
Water Temperature
Very Warm/Hot
Cycle Time
About 1 to 2-1/4 hours
Bedding Wash Cycle
When To Use
Washing large items like sheets, sleeping bags, small comforters, jackets and small rugs.
How It Works
Fills washer with enough water to wet down the load, then some washers fill with higher water levels than other cycles.
Water Temperature
Warm
Cycle Time
About 50 minutes to 2 hours
Sanitize Wash Cycle
When To Use
For clothes, bedding and towels that require sanitization.
How It Works
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
Deep Water Wash Cycle
When To Use
For heavily soiled casual and mixed loads. Items could include towels, jeans and sturdy fabrics. This is only available on top load washers.
How It Works
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
Water Temperature
Warm
Cycle Time
About 1 to 1-1/4 hours
Learn More Laundry Basics
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How to Remove Stains from Clothes Learn the how to remove stains from various fabrics with this step-by-step guide. This guide will help you remove ink, blood, and other common stains. -
How Many Gallons of Water Do Washing Machines Use? Learn how much water washing machines use, and which washers are water efficient. Discover how to lower your washing machine water usage when doing laundry. -
How to Do Laundry Step by Step Master laundry basics and learn the proper way to do laundry with this 7 step guide to how to wash clothes.
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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.
