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What is the Delicate wash cycle?
The Delicate wash cycle uses high levels of cold water and a low spin speed for carefully tending to undergarments and delicate fabrics that need to be handled with care, like lace, lingerie, or silk neckties. Specialty items like some washable electric blankets or stuffed animals may also benefit from a delicate wash.
Using Delicate wash and other laundry cycles on your washing machine properly is important to getting the best clean for your clothes. Before you tackle your next load, read on to unpack tips to help protect your favorite wardrobe pieces. Learn about your washer’s gentlest settings, what water temperatures to expect and how long a Delicate wash cycle typically takes.
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Delicate wash vs. Normal cycle
The major difference between Delicate and Normal wash cycles is agitation or tumbling speed. Compared to Normal wash cycles that use higher agitation or tumbling speeds for casual items, Delicate wash cleans items using low agitation or tumbling speeds, along with cold water, for gentle cleaning and reduced wrinkling.
The Delicate wash cycle typically uses cold water at around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, while a Normal cycle runs at a higher temperature. Before doing laundry, it’s important to know which washing machine settings to select for your clothes.
Identify any garments marked with “Machine Washable Silks” or “Gentle” on their care labels before selecting a wash cycle.
Use the Delicate wash cycle on your appliance when cleaning these and other items such as undergarments and delicate fabrics like lace and rayon.
Use the Normal wash cycle when cleaning moderately soiled cottons, linens and other mixed fabrics.
| Delicate wash cycle | Normal wash cycle | |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature* | 65-75 °F | 120-140 °F |
Agitation/tumbling speed | Low agitation/tumbling speeds are gentle on fabrics | High agitation/tumbling speeds give a deeper clean to thicker items or clothes that are more heavily soiled |
Clothing type | Delicate or fragile clothing items like undergarments, lace or silk | Cottons, linens and other mixed fabrics with moderate soiling |
Cycle duration | 45-120 minutes | 60-80 minutes |
*Exact water temperatures and cycle durations are estimates and may vary by model and your water inlet temperatures.
How long is a delicate wash cycle?
When cleaning clothes using the Delicate wash cycle, you can expect your washing machine to take between 45 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes to clean items such as blouses, jeans, lingerie, pants, sheer fabrics, sweaters or anything with a “Gentle” cycle recommendation on the tag.
A Delicate wash cycle can take longer than you might expect because it uses cold water, a deep fill and low spin speeds to gently clean fragile fabrics. It uses gentle agitation and is great for machine-washable delicate fabrics like silk or wool—it’s recommended to check the care tag first.
Learn how long each laundry cycle on a washer takes to make managing laundry days for your family easier.
Is Delicate wash the same as the Gentle cycle?
The Delicate cycle and the Gentle cycle are typically the same setting with different names, and the name can vary by washing machine model. Both use colder water temperatures and low agitation or tumbling speeds to gently clean fragile fabrics.
Coming soon from Whirlpool brand
The first washer with a Removable Delicates Basket
Whirlpool brand's Removable Delicates Basket keeps delicates safe—with gentle agitation and slower spin forces—while regular, everyday loads wash around it. Available soon on select models.
How to use the Delicate wash cycle
Wardrobe care begins long before the Delicate cycle starts. Follow the steps below to prepare your delicates for washing, then learn how to put them through the washer with the care they need.
1. Check the care label first: Look for tags marked "Delicate," "Gentle" or "Machine Washable" before adding any item to the Delicate cycle. If the tag says "Hand Wash Only" or "Dry Clean Only," skip the machine entirely.
2. Sort your laundry: Separate delicate items from heavier fabrics like towels or denim to help prevent damage during the wash.
3. Fasten closures: Zip zippers, hook bra clasps and tie any drawstrings to help prevent snagging or tangling during the cycle.
4. Turn items inside out: This can help protect colors, embellishments and delicate finishes from friction during washing.
5. Use a mesh laundry bag when appropriate: Lingerie, hosiery and smaller delicate items can benefit from being placed in a mesh bag before going into the drum.
6. Select the right cycle settings: Choose the “Delicate” or “Gentle” cycle on your washer. Select cold water and a low spin speed. Consult your washer's use and care guide for model-specific cycle, water temperature and spin recommendations since these can vary by model.
7. Use the right amount of detergent: Follow the detergent packaging for the recommended dosage based on your load size. The size of your load, the type of washer you have and the dirtiness of your laundry can impact the amount of detergent needed.
8. Unload promptly: Remove items as soon as the cycle ends to help prevent wrinkling and mildew.
9. Follow care-label drying directions: Some delicates should be laid flat to dry or hung rather than placed in the dryer. Always check the tag before transferring items to the dryer.
Delicate wash cycle FAQs
The Delicates setting on your washer signals the machine to use cold water, low agitation and a reduced spin speed to help protect fragile fabrics. Learning how and when to use the Delicate wash cycle can protect your family’s wardrobe from unnecessary wear and tear. Discover some quick, practical tips and answers to common laundry questions below.
Always check the tag first. If it reads “Gentle,” “Delicate” or “Machine Washable Silks,” select the Delicate cycle. However, if it says “Hand Wash Only” or “Dry Clean Only,” do not put it in your washer.
Fabrics that should generally be washed as delicate include lightly soiled sheer fabrics, lingerie, sweaters, blouses, shoes, pants or anything recommending a “Gentle” cycle on the tag. Other fabrics that could be considered delicate due to their sensitivity to the washing action of the washing machine include:
Delicate garments: While it is recommended to wash bras by hand, the Delicate wash cycle is the best option for undergarments if you need to use the washing machine. It can be helpful to use mild laundry detergent and a mesh lingerie bag.
Lightweight and sheer fabrics: Breezier materials like certain types of chiffon or organza can be more prone to ripping or tearing in a normal wash. The Gentle cycle uses a slower pace to protect these softer pieces.
Shape-sensitive knits: Loose knits like wool and cashmere can be prone to shrinking or stretching out of shape. The cold water and slow tumbling speeds of the Delicate wash cycle help to preserve the original fit.
Lace, sequins and embellishments: Clothing with intricate embroidery, details, sequins or lace overlays can break or unravel in heavier washer settings. Placing them inside a mesh laundry bag and using a Delicate cycle helps preserve the details.
Small accessories and intimates: Placing easy-to-lose items like lingerie, hosiery and delicate socks inside of a mesh bag before putting them in the washer helps keep these items protected. Knitted hats and scarves and fragile bedding: These pieces may require a gentler clean. You can run these items through the Gentle or Delicate cycle on your washer.
Delicate clothing items can also be sensitive to certain types of detergents, which is why it’s important to find a product that’s gentle on clothes but also keeps them looking and smelling great.
The Delicate cycle typically relies on a brief period of gentle agitation combined with a relatively low spin speed. In contrast, a Hand Wash cycle is often designed to more closely mimic manual washing by using minimal movement alongside slower, or even absent, spin cycles.
Both settings generally default to cold water to protect clothes from damage, but the Hand Wash setting can be regarded as a gentler option for highly fragile clothing. This also depends on the make and model of your washer and can vary from one brand to another.
You may be able to use fabric softener when washing delicates, but it is a good idea to check the care label first since some fabrics may not respond well to it. To err on the side of caution, use a detergent formulated for delicate fabrics and go without the softener. Learn more about how fabric softener works and when to use it.
While the gentle settings work well for fragile fabrics, not all clothes should be washed on Delicate cycle settings. Larger loads or bulkier items like towels, jeans and bedding typically require a standard or heavier cycle.
To clean fragile fabrics, your washing machine adjusts its internal water levels. The Delicate or Hand Wash setting yields a deeper fill of the washer, typically bringing the water level up to about half full, though this may vary by make and model.
Clothes may still feel wet after a Delicate cycle because the cycle uses a low spin speed to protect the fragile material. That process can remove less water than a normal or heavy duty cycle.
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