Have you ever stood before your washing machine, bewildered by the array of cycle options? From "heavy duty" to "delicates," "jeans" to "sanitary," the modern laundry room presents a dizzying menu. Many of us wonder just how soiled clothes must be to justify the heavy-duty setting or when to choose the delicate cycle over hand wash. The good news, according to a leading laundry authority, is that this complexity is largely unnecessary.
The One-Cycle Solution
Patric Richardson, known as The Laundry Evangelist and host of HGTV's "Laundry Guy," advocates for a remarkably simple approach. He asserts that only one washing machine cycle is ever truly required: the "express" cycle.
"I only use the 'express' cycle," Richardson revealed on HuffPost's "Am I Doing It Wrong?" podcast. "It's long enough to get your clothes clean but it's short enough not to cause any damage." When pressed to name an exception, he doubled down, stating, "I'm saying always express."
Science Behind the Simplicity
This recommendation isn't based on mere opinion. Richardson conducted lab studies while writing his book, "Laundry Love." His research demonstrated that even heavily soiled items, including diapers, are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized using the express cycle, which may also be labeled as "quick wash" or "30 minute wash" on different machines.
Choosing longer cycles, he explains, causes significantly more wear and tear on clothing, towels, and bedding. This accelerated deterioration forces consumers to replace items sooner. Furthermore, extended cycles waste substantial amounts of water and energy without providing a corresponding cleaning benefit.
Why So Many Cycles Exist
If one cycle suffices, why do modern machines boast a dozen or more? Richardson attributes this to historical inertia. "All of those cycles exist because they used to exist," he explains. Decades ago, limitations in fabric technology, machine engineering, and detergent chemistry necessitated specialized cycles like "bulky bedding" or "sanitary."
"In the '70s, you needed those cycles... it was a legit thing," Richardson notes. "You don't need them anymore, but too many people want to buy a machine and they're like, 'My mom's machine has "whitest whites."'". He envisions an ideal washing machine with just one button, set to warm water and the express cycle.
The Time-Saving Advantage
An obvious yet significant benefit of the express-only method is the dramatic time savings. "The express cycle is 30 minutes or less, so you can do several loads of laundry quickly," Richardson points out. In contrast, a cycle like "whitest whites" can run for two hours and 45 minutes. "In that amount of time, I could watch an entire 'Star Wars' movie," he quips, highlighting how lengthy cycles make completing all household laundry in one day nearly impossible.
Beyond the Cycle
During the podcast conversation, Richardson also shared other laundry insights, including his preferred detergent, his reasons for never using bleach, and his method for scenting clothes in the dryer without traditional dryer sheets. The discussion underscores a broader philosophy of simplifying household chores while improving outcomes.
For those seeking to optimize their laundry routine, Richardson's advice is clear: embrace the express cycle. This single setting promises effective cleaning, fabric preservation, resource conservation, and valuable time recouped—proving that sometimes, the simplest method is indeed the best.
