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Do I Need a Washing Machine with Hand Wash Cycle?
5 Best Washing Machines with Hand Wash Cycles
Washing machine technology has become more advanced and powerful than ever; however, you don't always need to maximize your power levels. Sometimes you need an appliance that can delicately remove stains and odors without harming your most precious items. This is where the hand wash cycle comes in.
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Shop WashersA washing machine with hand wash cycle options can prevent you from soaking delicate items in the sink. You can still machine wash these clothes by opting for one of the most delicate cycles on the market. The result is a deeper clean that also allows you to save time. Learn more about the hand wash cycle and explore some appliances that have this option. In this article, we will jump into everything you need to know about delicate cycles as well as feature some leading washer options!
All About Hand Wash Cycles
The hand wash cycle is designed to mimic the experience of delicately washing your garments by hand. Before the cycle was created, homeowners would separate intimate pieces that they didn't want to damage from durable clothing items. While the main cycle was running, these homeowners would hand wash their delicates. Modern washing machine manufacturers wanted to better accommodate users with delicate items, which is why they created the hand wash cycle.
The hand wash cycle is often referred to as the delicate cycle. However, some advanced appliance companies differentiate between the delicate and hand-washing cycles. You can read the user manual of your appliance to see if there is a difference between the hand wash vs. delicate cycle. Typically, the main difference between the hand wash cycle vs. delicate cycle is that the hand wash cycle has even less movement inside the drum. It is the gentlest way to wash your clothes, without actually having to wash them by hand.
When you run the delicate cycle, you will notice that there is very minimal spin occurring in the washing machine. This applies to both top-load and front-load models. The machine doesn't want to damage your clothes by harshly spinning them and potentially causing certain items to damage others. For example, you don’t want the zipper on your favorite little black dress to rip your nylon stockings.
The hand wash cycle also uses a cool or warm-cool water temperature. This is designed to preserve the colors of your clothes and prevent harsh temperatures from damaging your items.
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Do I Need a Washing Machine with Hand Wash Cycle?
The value that a hand wash cycle provides depends on the type of clothes that you wear. If you frequently wear durable garments and mostly wash work uniforms and casual clothes, then you might not need to buy a washing machine with hand wash cycle. Conversely, if you have a diverse wardrobe that is made up of a variety of fabrics and different dyes, purchasing an appliance with a hand wash cycle might be ideal. This is particularly important if you wear a lot of vintage clothing that cannot be replaced.
There are two ways to know whether you should look at washing machines with hand wash cycles or if standard models will work for you. First, you can look at your clothes and see the washing instructions on the tags. If the tags say hand wash only, you should only clean them in delicate loads.
The easier way to identify whether these washing machine cycles will be valuable is to follow industry best practices for which materials are considered delicate. Delicates, silk, and nylon mesh items like stockings often need to be hand-washed. However, experts also recommend hand-washing wool, cashmere, and lace. Even if you don't own a lot of lacey lingerie, you might benefit from having a delegate cycle in your washing machine if you love wearing wool sweaters and cashmere cardigans in the cool weather months.
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5 Best Washing Machines with Hand Wash Cycles
Several brands produce washing machines that come with delicate cycles. Here are a few top-rated options for you to consider for your home. Choose the best washing machine with hand wash cycle capabilities to protect your clothes.
Whirlpool® 4.3 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
This washing machine by Whirlpool is ENERGY STAR®-certified, which means it uses less electricity and water than other models on the market. It has an impressive 37 different cycles which allow for maximized customization. This includes a hand wash cycle. You can also turn on the pre-soak function if you want to gently work out any stains before starting a load of laundry.
➥ Featured Whirlpool Washer #WFW560CHW Review:
“Love my new washer. Easy to use. Love that the spin makes the clothes almost dry so that they take less time in the dryer.”
Maytag® 5.0 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
This Maytag washer comes with 14 different cycles at various power levels. One of its coolest features is the Cycle Memory option which stores your favorite settings so you can choose them faster. It also has an overnight wash and dry cycle if you need to clean a few key items for tomorrow. The washing machine will clean your clothes and then use a fan to gently dry them until the morning.
➥ Featured Maytag Washer #MHW8630HW Review:
“This washer runs wonderfully! No worries about a weak spin cycle and there are lots of sensible features. My family of seven uses it every day and it works great. Worth every penny.”
Electrolux 2.4 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
This is a hand wash cycle washing machine that comes with 11 other cycles to explore. Try out the jeans cycle or the widest white cycle depending on what you need cleaned. This appliance also comes with a Perfect Balance® system that prevents your washer from rocking and generating more noise than necessary. You can stack a dryer on top of this washing machine with hand wash cycle capabilities if you have a limited amount of laundry space.
➥ Featured Electrolux Washer #ELFW4222AW Review:
“There are lots of settings and customizability options, which makes this great for washing all kinds of clothes! It is also pretty quiet and a nice size.”
Frigidaire® 4.1 Cu. Ft. Classic White Top Load Washer
This is a large-capacity washing machine that is designed for families that produce a lot of laundry. It comes with 12 different wash cycles and adjusts to five different soil levels. This makes it easy to customize the cycles based on your power, spin, and temperature preferences. This washer comes with a dedicated hand wash option, so you do not need to wash your clothes on the delicate cycle.
➥ Featured Frigidaire Washer #FFTW4120SW Review:
“We thought it looked small at the store, but once you get it in your home and start using it you will be surprised how much it can hold.”
Samsung 2.5 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
This compact washer gives a great mix of size and function. Ideal for singles or couples, this small washer is equipped with Samsung’s Smart AI Dial, which recommends your most-used cycles on the control panel. This washer also has an improved drum design, reducing fabric snags and pilling during the wash.
➥ Featured Samsung Washer #WW25B6900AW Review:
“The washer is of superior quality. Very easy to understand controls. The vibration reduction technology helps and is quiet in operating on different settings. The clothes come out very clean and almost completely dry.”
FAQ
Is the delicate cycle the same as hand wash?
Most of the time, the delicate cycle is the same as the hand wash cycle in your washing machine. However, some appliance manufacturers are creating separate hand wash cycles that are even gentler than the delicate option. Look at your washing machine's user manual to determine whether you have a specific hand wash option.
What is the hand wash cycle?
The hand wash cycle is designed for delicate garments and intimate items. There is a very limited spin level in the machine and it uses cool water that is less harsh on the clothes. This cycle is meant to simulate the hand-washing expectation that homeowners had to do before this cycle existed.
Can you use a gentle cycle instead of hand washing?
The gentle cycle of the washing machine is designed to be just as effective and careful as hand washing. You can test out a few garments on this cycle to see if they can handle being machine-washed. You may have to run smaller loads when selecting the gentle cycle to further protect your clothes.
Where to buy a washing machine with a hand wash cycle near me?
The best place to find washing machines in Western New York is Orville's Home Appliances. You can find a wide selection of laundry units in our vast showrooms in Rochester, Buffalo, and surrounding areas. Our team is happy to help you find the best washer from a brand you trust that has the cycles you need.
Why Trust Orville’s?
For nearly 60 years, Orville's has been synonymous with excellence in the home appliance industry. With eight appliance showrooms and a 110,000-square-foot warehouse stocked with 25,000+ major home appliances, we offer the largest selection of kitchen, laundry, and outdoor appliances in Western New York.
Every Orville’s location showcases over a 1,000 different appliance models, with products from today’s best appliance brands. From outlet deals to scratch and dent, we always ensure our customers receive the best value with a Low Price Guarantee. A continuously refreshed catalog of in-stock appliances awaits, ready and available for the region’s fastest delivery and installation service. Experience the Orville's difference today. Visit one of our local appliance stores and discover why we're your trusted source for home appliances in Western New York.
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As a family-owned and operated business since 1965, Orville's is deeply rooted in the WNY, Genessee Valley, and Finger Lakes community. We're proud to have been serving the appliance needs of Rochester, Buffalo, and beyond for over five decades, and we remain committed to providing exceptional service and support to our loyal customers. Our appliance specialists are always happy to answer any questions about a washing machine with hand wash cycle.
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