Prewash is a mysterious function in a washing machine, which not everyone can use. Meanwhile, it is very useful, as it helps to better clean the laundry. We offer to declassify the regime and find out all its pros and cons.
Wash before washing
Often, prewash is compared to soaking. However, this is not a true comparison. This mode replaces the manual washing of linen. It is used if things are very dirty, have stubborn stains. For example, when you need to wash work clothes accidentally doused with drinks on a tablecloth or children's pants, in which the child fell into a puddle.
How does the function work?
The program “Prewash” is compatible with almost all modes: “Hand wash”, “Cotton”, “Synthetics”, “Delicate”, “Intensive”, “Wool”, “Jeans” and others. This is usually an additional option that can be turned on and off. And only in some modes it is combined with the main program, for example, “Clap” at 90 degrees.
How does prewash work?
- The washing machine draws water and heats it to 30 degrees. At this temperature, stains from fruits, coffee, blood are easily removed.
- Then the powder is taken from the compartment, which is intended for the preliminary cycle. In the main tray, the detergent remains intact.
- The drum spins slowly while cleaning the laundry.
- The duration of the regime varies from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the model of the washing machine.
- Then the water is drained and the main wash begins.
While the program is running, a powder tray is used, indicated by a unit (Roman or Arabic) or the English letter A.
Subtleties of use
All information about the modes can be found in the instructions for the typewriter. There are certain subtleties of using each.
Here's what pre-wash says:
- It is carried out only with dry powder. If you open the instructions for using the automatic machine, you can find information that the main compartment cannot be filled with gel when this function is turned on. The fact is that the liquid product smoothly slides along the tube. When it comes to the main loop, the compartment is already empty.
- Function incompatible with express modes. If she does not want to turn on, then most likely you have chosen express wash. Manufacturers felt that it is not needed here. Logically, if you need to wash things quickly, it means that the laundry is not so dirty and does not require prior washing.
- Manufacturers prohibit pouring anything else besides detergent into the pre-wash compartment.
Pros and cons
Prewash in a washing machine is a delicate process, it does not harm even capricious fabrics. Any thing that can be washed in the machine can be subjected to this procedure.
- The advantage of using the program is efficiency.
Any laundry that was previously washed in cool, and then in hot water, will be cleaner than with normal washing. Using this mode in the typewriter, you will be sure that all the dirt will go into the sewer and you won’t have to wash things over.
- The disadvantage is the impossibility of saving resources.
When using the additional function, the washing machine consumes more electricity and water than with the standard program. For this reason, many housewives prefer to wash things with their hands.
There is one more parameter - time, which can be written both in pluses and minuses. On the one hand, an automatic machine with the function turned on erases longer. On the other hand, he does manual work for you. You can do something else at the same time as washing.
Step-by-step instruction
A wash with a preliminary cycle is not much different from normal. The only difference is that you pour the powder into 2 compartments and press the button that turns on the function.
Instruction:
- Load the dirty stuff into the drum.
- Fill compartment “1” with detergent. Recommended amount - 1 tbsp. the spoon.
- Pour the powder into the main compartment (“2”). You can also add stain remover or bleach to it (dry only!).
- Choose the main washing mode according to the type of clothes.
- Turn on the pre-wash function. On washing machines (Samsung, LG, BOSCH), it is indicated by the full name or icon with a vertical stick.
- Wait until the washing machine completes.
- Unload the drum and hang the laundry to dry.
On modern models of washing machines, prewash is included in the program of some modes. For example, Samsung’s Sports Stuff mode provides for two wash cycles - a pre-wash and a main wash. This is indicated by indicators on the digital panel.
If you select a mode and see that the “Prewash” icon lights up, be sure to pour the powder into the appropriate compartment.
Many housewives noticed that with normal programs, the washing machine picks up powder from both the first and second trays. Therefore, they do not understand how the pre-wash option works. However, for this, it is also necessary for the machine to take the detergent from the compartments in turn. To make sure that the program works, you can stop the machine after 15-20 minutes of torsion of the drum and see if the powder remains in the main compartment. You can also conduct a test by washing one half of the clothes as usual, and the other with prewash. According to reviews of those who decided to conduct such an experiment, with the function turned on, things are washed an order of magnitude better.