Despite being part of practically every wash cycle, many people don't know exactly what it's for or how to use it correctly. When it's not adjusted properly, clothes can come out too damp, misshapen, or suffer unnecessary wear and tear.
In this article, Blue Lavandarias explains what is centrifugation, how to define the appropriate speed And what factors can influence the Final outfit result.
Centrifugation is, as a general rule, the last phase of the washing cycle. In this stage, the machine's drum spins at high speed, expelling excess water from the garments through the force generated by the rotation, known as centrifugal force. As a result, the clothes come out lighter, less damp and easier to dry.
This function replaces the manual act of wringing out clothes., reducing physical effort and making the entire washing process simpler. Furthermore, it allows for more sparsely laid pieces, preventing the drying space from becoming excessively damp.
On most machines, the spin speed is associated with the wash programmes and can be adjusted depending on the model and type of laundry.
Nevertheless, it is important Consult the manufacturer's instructions, as each machine may have specific recommendations for different fabrics and soil levels.
The acronym RPM refers to “revolutions per minute” and Indicate the speed at which the machine's drum rotates during the spin cycle. The higher the RPM number, the faster the laundry is spun and the more water is removed.
In practice, a higher spin speed leaves clothes drier, but it can also be more aggressive on certain fabrics. Therefore, it's important to adjust this setting according to the type of clothing, ensuring a balance between water removal efficiency and care for the garments.
Not always using more rotations means obtaining a better result. The ideal centrifugation depends on type of garment, fabric, and how the clothing will be dried after washing.
When the speed is too high, especially on delicate fabrics, the items can become deformed, creased or worn out more quickly.
On the other hand, too low a spin leaves the clothes wetter., increasing drying time and encouraging the appearance of odours, especially if it remains in the machine or is dried in poorly ventilated spaces.
Ideally adjust the spin speed to the fabric's strength and the amount of water each item retains. Before choosing a speed, always check the clothing labels to ensure proper care and avoid unnecessary damage.
As it's not always easy to interpret these instructions in everyday use, we've gathered some simple guidelines below for adjusting the spin speed and achieving better results with each wash.
These items, being more delicate, should be spun at low revolutions, generally between 400 and 600 rpm. The aim is not to remove all the water, but merely the excess, preserving the shape and structure of the tissue.
Excessively high spin speeds can cause shrinkage, deformation, or premature wear, especially at seams and edges.
💡 Blue Tip: Whenever possible, hand wash these items. Alternatively, use a Bag for delicates. This care reduces friction and protects delicate details, such as lace, straps, fastenings, or appliques.
Baby clothes require extra attention. Despite seeming robust, many items are made from soft and stretchy fabrics, with delicate finishes.
A spin between 600 and 800 rpm is, in most cases, a balanced option.
Avoid mixing with heavier items, such as towels or jeans. During the spin cycle, the additional weight can increase wear and cause deformation.
Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, can be spun between 800 and 1000 rpm.
These materials are more resistant than delicate fabrics, but can still become creased or misshapen if subjected to excessively high spin speeds. A medium speed allows enough water to be removed without compromising the final appearance of the garment.
Cotton items, such as t-shirts and shirts, or everyday denim, can be spun between 800 and 1000 rpm.
However, items with more sensitive prints or colours may benefit from slightly lower spin speeds, helping to preserve the fabric and prevent fading.
💡 Blue TipTo preserve prints, colours and finishes, turn the garments inside out before washing. This care protects the details and colours, reducing wear caused by drum rotation.
Quilts, duvets, and bulky items require more attention. In these cases, the spin speed selection should be adjusted to the weight, filling, and capacity of the washing machine.
For reference, a centrifugation between 600 and 800 rpm is usually safe. Very high rotations can displace the filling, create irregularities, or compromise the structure of the piece.
If the items are heavy or have specific care instructions, the safest option is to take them to a professional dry cleaner, where the equipment is designed for this type of load.
Towels, bathrobes, sheets and pillowcases absorb a lot of water during washing. Because of this, they benefit from a more intense spin cycle, usually between 1000 and 1200 rpm, as long as the garment's label permits.
A higher spin speed helps to remove more water and reduces drying time. This is especially important for towels and bathrobes, which tend to come out heavier when they are too damp.
When these items take a long time to dry, the moisture can encourage the development of mould and unpleasant odours, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces, and is also associated with Indoor air quality, as stated by the Directorate-General of Health.
Mixing lightweight items with heavier ones such as towels or bedding compromises the distribution within the drum. During the spin cycle, this can lead to imbalances, reduce the effectiveness of water removal, and leave some items still damp.
Furthermore, the weight of larger items can press down on lighter, more delicate ones, increasing the risk of creases or distortion. If the drum is too full, this effect is amplified and hinders the movement of the laundry.
Whenever possible, Group by weight and volume. This care improves the spinning performance and helps to achieve a more uniform result.
The way you are going to dry your clothes should influence your spin cycle choice.
If it were Extend outdoors, especially on sunny days with good ventilation, you can opt for a more moderate spin cycle.
On the other hand, if the the drying was done indoors or poorly ventilated spaces, a more intense spin helps reduce moisture and drying time. In these cases, leaving clothes too wet can make drying difficult and compromise the freshness of the garments.
Even after the spin cycle, the clothes remain damp. If left closed inside the washing machine for too long, an environment conducive to the development of bacteria and mould, responsible for unpleasant odours.
To avoid this problem, the ideal solution is remove the clothes as soon as the cycle finishes and spread it out immediately. This small habit helps keep clothes fresh, avoids unnecessary washing, and improves the final result.
If you often struggle to keep your clothes smelling fresh, you can complement these care routines with other good practices. In the article “9 tips for making your clothes smell good”, we share simple strategies to preserve the freshness of garments from washing to drying.
Although the spin cycle might seem like just another part of washing, it has a direct impact on the condition of your clothes, drying time, and their durability.
By correctly adjusting this phase, you avoid unnecessary wear, reduce the risk of unwanted odours, and ensure better results with every wash.
If you are looking for a practical solution to simplify this process, you can rely on the Professional laundry services at Blue Laundrettes in Faro.
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