Soaking Clothes in Your Washing Machine: Is It Even Allowed?
Let’s be real: soaking clothes sounds like something your grandma would swear by, but figuring out how to do it *right* in today’s tech-savvy washing machines might leave you scratching your head. Fear not! Soaking in a washing machine isn’t just possible, it’s an underrated laundry hack that kicks stubborn stains to the curb and revives your duds without extra elbow grease.
Whether you’re dealing with mud-caked gym shorts, wine-spattered whites, or delicate threads needing a gentle soak, the key is patience and technique paired with your machine’s features.
Why Soak Clothes in the Washing Machine Anyway?
Soaking isn’t just a luxury ritual; it’s a practical magic bullet for:
- Loosening tough stains before washing
- Prepping heavily soiled garments without harsh scrubbing
- Saving time by combining soaking and washing in one spot
- Protecting delicate fabrics by avoiding abrasive pre-treatment methods
It’s like marinating your clothes in cleaning goodness — only without the kitchen mess.
Step-by-Step Guide to Soak Clothes in Your Washing Machine
1. Know Your Washing Machine
Some newer machines come with a dedicated soak cycle, a gentle mode that intermittently rotates clothes while soaking them evenly. Front-loader models often have this feature, so check your manual or control panel.
If your machine doesn’t have a soak cycle, no worries. You can still soak clothes by manipulating the cycle settings — more on that shortly.
2. Choose the Right Water Temperature and Detergent
Cold or cool water is your best friend for soaking, especially for delicate or colored fabrics to avoid fading or damage. Hot water might feel like the boss, but it can be too aggressive for some textiles when soaking.
Special detergents designed for soaking, like Soak detergent, can be added directly to your machine. They dissolve slowly and clean gently, saving your fibers from the usual wear and tear.
3. Loading and Starting the Soak Cycle
Load your clothes loosely to ensure water and detergent penetrate every fiber. Too tight, and you’re basically locking in dirt.
Select the soak cycle if your machine has one. If not, pick a delicate or gentle cycle set to fill with water but skip agitation for now.
4. Manual Soaking for Machines Without a Dedicated Soak Cycle
If your washing machine lacks a soak option, here’s a nifty trick learned from laundry aficionados on Best Buy Q&A:
- Start filling your machine on the desired cycle (usually delicate or rinse/fill cycle).
- As soon as water fills the tub, pause the machine. For top-loaders, keep the lid closed to avoid water spilling out. For front-loaders, unplugging the machine is an option to stop the cycle.
- Allow the clothes to soak for 20-30 minutes. Resist the urge to agitate too much — soaking is about letting water and detergent work their charm gently.
- After soaking, resume the machine to complete the wash cycle.
5. Tips to Maximize Your Soak Wash
- Avoid soaking delicate fabrics for too long—over 30 minutes may weaken fibers.
- For heavily soiled items, repeat soaking for added stain-busting power.
- Consider soaking whites separately to prevent color bleed.
- Use water-saving detergents that allow rinseless post-soak washing to save both water and time.
Special Considerations for Front-Loaders and High-Efficiency Washers
Front-loading and HE washers can be a bit trickier since they use less water. However, many models come with soak functions with intermittent drum rotation to keep fabrics evenly soaked without damage.
If yours doesn’t, the manual soaking method described doesn’t change much except you might need to monitor water levels carefully. Using gentle, formulated detergents designed for HE machines can be a game-changer.
Extra Laundry Wisdom: How Not to Destroy Your Clothes While Soaking
Just like Goldilocks’ porridge, soaking times need to be “just right.” Too short and stains linger. Too long, and fibers start to give up the fight. 20-30 minutes is the sweet spot for most uses.
And while you’re at it, if you need to clean your washing machine itself to keep those soaks smelling fresh and performing brilliantly, our friends over at Wirecutter Guide: How to Clean Your Washing Machine Like a Pro have killer tips to keep your machine in tiptop shape.
Recommended Products to Enhance Your Soaking Game
Jumpstart your soaking ritual with thoughtfully designed detergents — here’s a couple of handy options approved by laundry enthusiasts:
If You Loved This, Dive Deeper Into Laundry Hacks
For those wanting to level up even farther, learning how to wash tricky footwear in the machine might be your next adventure. Check out how to tackle tough-to-clean shoes with guides like How to Wash White Sneakers in Washing Machine: A No-Nonsense Guide or How to Wash Skechers Shoes in Washing Machine: A Quick & Clever Guide. You feel me?
So there you have it: soaking in your washing machine doesn’t have to be a laundry legend whispered around kitchen sinks. Master this, and you’re literally one soak away from fresher, cleaner clothes.