How long do washers take to wash clothes?
Sometimes it can feel like laundry takes all day, but it usually only takes around an hour per load to wash clothes. How long your washer takes to wash your clothes can vary based on the size of the load, the soil level and the cycle setting chosen. Use this guide to learn more about washing machine cycle times and help you choose the right setting for your schedule.
Why does my washer take so long?
The timing of your laundry routine may vary each time you wash a load. If you’re washing a bulky load or choosing a Sanitize cycle, you can expect longer wash times compared to Normal or Quick Wash settings.
Washing machine cycle times can vary for a variety of reasons, including:
The cycle setting
Laundry load size
Soil level of laundry
Type of washing machine (HE or standard)
How long is a wash cycle?
Normal cycle: around 50m to 1h
A normal wash cycle usually takes between 50 minutes to an hour to complete. However, this time could be faster or slower depending on load size and the cycles or options you choose. That’s one of the reasons it’s important to know how to choose the right washer cycle. Tightly packed clothes, unbalanced loads and excessive suds may also lengthen wash times. Some modern washers account for these differences by providing an estimated time remaining.
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How long is a Quick Wash cycle?
Quick Wash cycle: around 15m to 40m
On some washers, you can get small, lightly soiled loads clean in 15-40 minutes with a Quick Wash cycle. Quick Wash cycles use shorter wash periods to clean your laundry in a short amount of time. However, it is recommended to avoid overloading or washing heavily soiled items with a Quick Wash cycle, as items may not get as thoroughly clean as they would otherwise.
How long does a Heavy Duty wash cycle take?
Heavy Duty cycle: around 1h to 2h 15m
A Heavy Duty wash cycle, which helps handle heavily soiled items, can take anywhere from 1 to just over 2 hours. In addition to longer cycle times, the Heavy Duty setting works by using hot or warm water and high spin speeds to clean heavily soiled items.
How long is a Delicate wash cycle?
How long does a Sanitize wash cycle take?
Sanitize cycle: around 1h 30m to 1h 50m
A Sanitize cycle usually takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete. This cycle uses extra-hot water and longer cycle times to help kill germs on your laundry. On select Whirlpool® Washers, the Sanitize cycle with Oxi eliminates 99.9% of common household bacteria by mixing detergent with an oxi additive.1
How long does a Colors cycle take?
Color cycle: around 45m
A Colors wash setting uses cool water and high spin speeds to help preserve the appearance of colorful fabrics during the wash cycle. This setting usually takes up to 45 minutes to complete.
How long does a Whites cycle take?
Whites cycle: around 65m
Designed to help keep whites looking brighter, the Whites wash cycle uses hot water and high spin speeds. You can expect a Whites setting to take up to 65 minutes.
How long does a Rinse and Spin cycle take?
Rinse and Spin cycle: around 25m
Rinse and Spin doesn’t technically wash your clothes; instead it uses cold water and high-speed spinning action to give your laundry an additional rinse. The Rinse and Spin cycle is about 25 minutes long.
How long does a Drain and Spin cycle take?
Drain and Spin cycle: around 10m
Like Rinse and Spin, Drain and Spin is not designed to wash. This setting uses rapid spinning to help remove excess water from soaking wet or bulky laundry items, and lasts only about 10 minutes.
How long does a Bulky cycle take?
Bulky cycle: around 55m
Typically used for items like sheets, blankets or towels, the Bulky setting lasts about 55 minutes. This cycle uses larger amounts of warm water and low spin speeds to clean bulky items.
What is the shortest cycle on a washing machine?
Though specific cycle times can vary depending on your machine, the Quick Wash cycle is typically the shortest cycle on a washer, other than the Drain and Spin cycle, which doesn’t technically wash your clothes. This setting takes between 15-40 minutes to complete, helping you get through your laundry routine quickly.
How long does it take to wash and dry clothes?
A normal drying cycle can add around 45 minutes to your laundry routine for a total washing and drying time of about an hour and 45 minutes. Drying cycle times can vary, with Delicate cycles taking around 15 minutes and heavy duty towel cycles taking close to 3 hours.
Load size, type, dampness and washer rinse temperature can all affect how long your clothes take to dry. With these differences in mind, doing a load of laundry from start to finish can take as little as 45 minutes or as long as 5 hours.
Scheduling Tip: No matter whether your wash time is quick or a little longer, the Schedule Wash Cycle feature in the Whirlpool® app lets you tell the washer when you'll be home, so it starts and ends the cycle on your schedule.2
Antimicrobial protection
Help keep your washer & laundry fresh
Help prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria with an antimicrobial rubber seal, available now on select Whirlpool® Washers
Shop Whirlpool® Washers and Dryers
Available in a range of sizes and styles, Whirlpool® Washing Machines offer a convenient design that helps you approach laundry day with confidence. Browse the full collection of washers and dryers by Whirlpool brand for a streamlined laundry experience for your home.
See more cycle wash times
Download our washer cycles chart to see how long your cycle might take.
Helping kids stay in school
Learn how Whirlpool helps end the dropout cycle by giving kids access to clean clothes through the Care Counts™ Laundry Program
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1 Bacteria tested were K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus.
2 Connected Subscription may be required. WiFi & App required. Features subject to change. Details and privacy info at whirlpool.com/connect.
