How long does a washing machine take?

First published on Monday 9 January 2023

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When the family laundry is piling up, you want to get through it as quickly as possible. But with a choice of washing machine cycles, some lasting for HOURS and others as short as 15 minutes, knowing which one to pick isn’t always straightforward.

Do you need a longer wash to shift stubborn stains? Will a quick wash really get your kids’ clothes clean? And how long is the average washing machine cycle anyway?

We’ve got all you need to know about the different cycles, including which ones to avoid if you want to save money.

No matter which wash cycle you pick, using the right laundry products is a must. Fairy Non Bio is a favourite among parents and has been voted number 1 for sensitive skin*. From detergent that works brilliantly in short washes to fabric softener which makes everything huggably soft, Fairy Non Bio is perfect for your whole family.

For even more essential laundry hacks, including how much money you can save on a cool wash, head to our Fairy Cares Laundry Room hub.

*Online panel of 3327 females among which Fairy Non Bio was voted most often as the #1 detergent & fabric softener for sensitive skin.

How long is the average washing machine cycle?

It might feel like longer, especially when you need your kid’s school jumper washed in a hurry, but the average wash takes between 50 minutes and an hour.

Times will vary between washing machines and also depend on how full the load is.

Popping a Fairy Non Bio POD® into the drum before adding your laundry means your clothes will be washed perfectly, even if you lower the temperature to 30 degrees.

Each Pod has just the right amount of detergent to get everything super clean.

quick wash
Quick wash cycle

How long does a quick wash take?

The quick wash cycle on your washing machine is usually between 15-40 minutes.

This is a good option for an everyday wash. In fact, USwitch recommend washing clothes on the shortest cycle as it uses less water and energy, saving you money on your bills.

For added freshness, add a splosh of Fairy Fresh Fabric Softener . Planning on saving even more money by drying your clothes on an airer? Use the all-new Fairy Outdoorable Fabric Conditioner . It has SolarDry™ technology which eliminates the musty smells you can often get when drying clothes inside.

cottons washing machine cycle
Cottons wash cycle

How long does a ‘Cottons’ wash cycle take?

This cycle is for bed sheets, towels, cotton undies and for particularly dirty clothes (but always check the fabric care label first).

The temperature of a cottons wash can be anything from 30-90 degrees. The NHS recommends washing towels, bedlinen and underwear at 60 degrees to stop germs spreading.

A cotton wash cycle can take between 1.45 and 2.5 hours. Some machines let you do a quicker version of each cycle. If you’re using a quality detergent like Fairy Non Bio , this will thoroughly wash your laundry even on a quicker cycle.

40 degree wash
40 degree wash cycle

How long is a 40 degree wash?

This will vary depending on which washing machine you have. A 40 degree wash cycle takes generally between 1.5-2 hours.

To save money on your bills, you might want to turn the temperature down to 30 degrees. The experts at USwitch say you could save around £40 a year on your energy bill by changing from a 40 degree wash to a 30 degree one.

30 degree wash
30 degree wash

How long does a 30 degree wash take?

This is usually a delicates wash, so takes around 1.2 hours.

Washing at 30°C uses 38% less energy than washing at 40°C, meaning savings on your household bills. Here's all you need to know about how much you'll save on a cool wash (and the laundry you should never wash at low temperatures).

60 degree wash
60 degree wash

How long does a 60 degree wash take?

This can take between 2.5-3 hours.

If you’ve got clothes with baby poo or sick on them, the NHS says washing them at 60 degrees will get rid of any germs. Always use a good detergent like Fairy Non Bio which leaves clothes super clean. For extra stain removal**, pop a Fairy Non Bio Platinum POD® in your machine.

** Fairy Platinum PODS® vs Fairy PODS®

90 degree wash
90 degree wash

How long does a 90 degree wash take?

Some machines have a 90 degree wash option. You don’t generally need to wash laundry at this high a temperature: it could damage your towels or bedding so always check the fabric care label first.

A 90 degrees wash cycle can take between 2.5-3 hours.

delicates cycle
Delicates cycle

How long does washing delicates take?

If you’ve got nice jumpers, shirts, school ties or fancy baby clothes, a normal wash might damage or shrink them. A delicates wash cycle has a low spin speed to gently wash your laundry.

The delicates cycle usually takes anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour 20.

Fairy Non Bio is gentle on clothes, and is ideal for delicates. Always check the fabric care label before using fabric softener though as it's not suitable for some clothes.

Why do washing machine cycles take so long?

Sometimes your machine can feel like it’s taking ages . And you could be right. That’s because modern washing machines are made to use as little water as possible while still cleaning your clothes. This means the rinse cycle takes longer to make sure clothes are completely clean.

Check your washing machine’s energy efficiency rating, which goes from A-G. If your machine is A-D, it’s energy efficient. The higher the rating, the longer the wash cycle could take. (And the more it could cost you in the long run!).

Head to our Fairy Cares Laundry Room hub for more money-saving tips and tricks for blitzing your family's laundry pile.