Unless I’m washing a load of delicates, I’ve never paid much attention to the settings on my washer or dryer. Outside of making sure I used the correct amount of laundry detergent (or laundry strips), I didn’t think it mattered much. Because really, what is permanent press and how is it different from the ‘normal’ or ‘heavy duty’ settings? Turns out, I may have been too cavalier with my regular washing. Every setting does indeed have a purpose all its own.
Here, we break it down, one by one, so you can get the most out of your beloved washing machine…and maybe even finally get those stains out of your white T-shirts. Now, let’s begin with the most confusing setting…