Although it may appear like just another button on your washing machine, the pre-washing sign is essential to getting your clothes really clean. Comprehending the meaning of this symbol will enable you to optimize the performance of your machine.
The purpose of pre-washing is to give heavily soiled clothing one last rinse before starting the main wash. This makes your clothes come out cleaner and fresher by helping to loosen stains and dirt.
You can tackle more stubborn stains and dirt more successfully by using the pre-washing option, which will ultimately save you time and effort. Using this feature correctly and at the right times can significantly improve your laundry routine.
Before the main wash cycle, a helpful feature on a washing machine called the pre-wash indicator helps to loosen and remove stubborn dirt and stains from your clothes. You can make sure that very dirty clothes get extra care by selecting the pre-wash option, which will produce cleaner, fresher laundry with less work. This feature is crucial for getting the best wash results because it not only makes your routine more effective overall but also helps preserve the longevity and quality of your fabrics.
Figure "Preliminary washing"
The "preliminary washing" mode is indicated on the dashboard of the majority of washers by a unique pattern rather than words. Most of the time, when we discuss a schematic representation of a basin, it contains a vertical strip. Occasionally, the Arabic or Roman numeral "1" is drawn in place of a line. In any event, since this mode is introduced as the first step in cleaning things, the manufacturer will indicate something akin to one.
An image of a basin with a vertical stripe or the number "1" denotes the "Pre-wash" mode.
There is a copy of the pre-wash sign in the powder container. In actuality, the machine receives enough detergent in a dedicated compartment in the tray designed just for this mode, ensuring superior cleaning. Usually, the medium-sized compartment on the left is indicated by a basin with a number one. On certain models, the letter "A" is used in its place.
It’s no accident that the powder container has a designated space allotted by the manufacturer. The machine only uses detergent when the pre-wash is initiated. The main tray is also cleaned of powder or gel, but only if the primary cleaning cycle is changed to a standard cycle.
What is this function?
It was not too long ago that washing machines began to feature the pre-wash feature. It cannot be categorized as a frivolous feature that raises the machine’s cost in daily use. Conversely, because it is frequently used and has a significant impact on washing quality, many users consider this program to be among the most important.
Pre-washing is comparable to rinsing and spinning in terms of importance; without it, the washing machine is unable to remove stubborn stains. It functions on a similar principle to soaking laundry in a basin. It’s no secret that you can get better stain removal if you soak dirty clothes in a warm, soapy solution for 20 to 120 minutes.
Pre-wash is an enhanced and automated soaking process that uses some mechanical action on the clothes.
Pre-wash is just enhanced and automated soaking. The user does not need to prepare water, dissolve powder, or remove stains once it is activated. All you have to do is fill the drum with laundry, add more detergent to the designated "I" or "A" compartment, and turn on the machine. The washing machine will then handle everything on its own:
- fill the tank with water;
- heat the water to 30-90 degrees, depending on the settings specified by the user;
- dissolve the detergent in water, taking it from a special compartment of the powder receiver (the powder will remain untouched in the main wash bin);
- start slowly rotating the drum, helping the detergent to quickly reach the dirt in the fibers;
- continue washing for the allotted time;
- drain dirty water from the tank;
- fill the drum again and start the main wash cycle.
Following the completion of the pre-wash, the main wash will begin automatically. Rinsing and spinning will then begin, followed by the previously chosen mode. After that, the regular mode of the washing machine will operate. You can activate extra options, like "Rinse +" or "Easy ironing," if you’d like.
However, pre-wash and soaking are not entirely interchangeable. It is more high-tech than its "colleague" because things are continuously "mixed" rather than lying statically. As a result, the laundry is cleaner and softer because the detergent enters the fibers more quickly and extracts dirt from the fabric.
Symbol | Meaning |
Bucket with water and line underneath | Pre-wash option is selected |
Bucket with water and dots | Use for heavily soiled clothes |
Bucket with waves and line | Gentle pre-wash for delicate fabrics |
Bucket with X | Pre-wash not recommended |
Making the most of your laundry cycles requires that you comprehend the pre-washing indicator on your washing machine. You can get better results when washing clothes if you know when to use this feature, especially if the clothes are really dirty.
Correct use of pre-washing reduces time and energy consumption by addressing stubborn stains early in the cycle. This small action can have a significant impact on how clean your clothes turn out.
The next time you wash laundry, be mindful of the pre-washing indicator. It’s a tiny thing that can result in clothes that are fresher and cleaner.