What happens in the drum during a wash
Short answer: The drum lifts the laundry up and lets it fall back into the water, again and again. Movement, water and detergent work together to loosen dirt from the fibres and rinse it away.
The drum lifts and lets go
Inside the drum there are small ribs that catch the laundry and carry it up the side. When it reaches the top, it falls back down. This happens again and again through the whole programme. The motion resembles a gentle turning, and it is the engine of the wash, keeping everything moving in the water.
The fall is the mechanics
When the laundry falls into the water, water is pressed through the fabric, and that is where most of the cleaning happens. The water gets between the fibres, loosens the dirt and carries it off as the laundry moves on. Without the fall, water would mostly run around the laundry instead of through it.
The water carries the dirt away
The detergent loosens the dirt from the fibres, and the water carries it out of the drum during rinsing. That is why rinsing is an important part of the programme, and why stopping midway is not a good idea. See also night t-shirts for men, which are washed often and should be rinsed well.
Time does the rest
A long programme gives the detergent time to work, even at low temperature. Chemistry takes its time, so you can choose a lower heat without giving up a clean wash. See bamboo towels and bamboo envelope sheets, which are often washed in bigger loads and benefit from time in the water.
Why the drum changes direction
The drum turns one way and then the other, so the laundry does not roll into a lump. Changing direction loosens it, and everything gets better contact with water and detergent. That is why you hear the drum turning back and forth along the way, and it is exactly as it should be.
The pauses have a reason
Along the way the drum pauses, and it can feel as if something has stopped. But the detergent needs calm to work without constant motion, so it can settle around the dirt. Pauses and movement alternate, and together they give a better wash than if everything ran in one go.
Filling matters
If the drum is too full, the laundry has no room to fall, and the wash gets worse. If it is too empty, the laundry falls without being pressed through the water enough. A sensible amount, where the laundry moves freely, gives the best motion and protects the fabric from needless rubbing.
More water is not always better
Too much water dampens the movement, because the laundry floats instead of falling, and the wash works less well. Modern machines set the amount of water by the weight in the drum, so they use enough but not too much. Let the machine choose the amount, and load with care.
Rinse and spin at the end
At the end the laundry is rinsed and the water is pumped out. Then the drum spins so much of the water is pressed out of the fabric. The laundry is heavy and wet when the wash ends, so take it out soon and hang it up. That avoids creases and a musty smell, and it is ready to dry.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the drum turn one way and then the other
So the laundry does not roll into a lump. Changing direction keeps it loose, so water and detergent reach all around it, which gives a more even wash.
Why are there pauses in the programme
Because the detergent needs time to work without constant motion. The pauses are part of the programme and make the wash more effective, especially at low temperatures.
Does more water mean a better wash
Not necessarily. Too much water dampens the movement and can make the wash less effective, because the laundry does not fall as forcefully into the water as it should.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
