What Does Soil Mean In Your Washing Machine?

If you've bought a washing machine recently, you know they come decked out with all the bells and whistles. They have buttons and dials and dispenser drawers and filters and all sorts of features that can make laundry day feel a bit overwhelming. With so many options, we all may wonder at times if we're making mistakes with our washing machines. In addition to load types, you have to choose water temperatures, spin speeds, load sizes, and even the volume at which you'd like to hear that cheery jingle (or buzz) that announces the successful end to this domestic conquest. All this just to get some garments clean! 

Before we get into too much of a lather, let's talk about one of those buttons that you may find extremely confusing: Soil Level. Don't worry, it doesn't refer to actual soil (as in, clumps of dirt) in your washing machine. The term "soil" is being used to mean something a little bit different in this context. Once you understand it, you may be able to save water, time, and energy while helping your clothes last longer.

The location of the Soil Level button varies from washing machine to washing machine, but it's handy to know how to use it. Most machines have at least three options under Soil Level: Light (or Low), Normal, and Heavy (or High). This refers to how dirty (soiled) the clothes are that you're about to wash. If you've spent the day doing intense yardwork then you'll likely choose Heavy Soil. Your clothes would have obvious dirt or stains on them. Alternatively, if you enjoyed a day of indoor Bingo then a better choice would be Light Soil, meaning there are no obvious stains or unpleasant odors. Most washing machines assume a "normal" soil level and, therefore, using the Soil Level button is optional and usually reserved for cases when there's an unusually heavy or light amount of soiling.

If you select Heavy Soil, your machine will run a longer, more intense wash cycle. It's important when selecting this option that you look at your garment's care label to be sure it can handle the extra agitation or tumbling from this cycle. It's still a good idea to pretreat stains by brushing, rinsing or using stain removers on any visible dirt before tossing the item into the washer. Conversely, selecting Light Soil will run a shorter cycle. In general, delicate items will last longer when you consistently wash them on a Light Soil setting when possible.

Clear as mud? If you're still scratching your head, remember that knowing the ins-and-outs of your machine makes doing laundry less of a chore, so check your machine's instruction manual and follow the manufacturer's advice. It's also okay to experiment with the soil level settings until you get them dialed in.