While arranging the laundry that was about to be added into my washing machine.
I came across some extremely dirty clothes and bed sheets – it seems they were the dirtiest and heavily soiled.
I didn’t really care at first. Afterall, it’s a machine that’ll be doing the washing and not me.
Suddenly, I remembered my good neighbor, Sarah, talking about a particular setting on her washer that helped clean her child’s soiled clothes more effectively.
I intended to manage my time and use my washer to its potential. Then I made some findings.
The soil level on a washing machine is a setting that indicates the amount of dirt or soil in your clothes. You can use it to effectively clean clothes that are heavily soiled or dirty.
However, It can also damage your clothes if used incorrectly. Continue reading this article to find out how to use soil level correctly.
What Does Soil Level Mean On A Washer?
Depending on how much dirt is present on your clothes, the Soil Level is important to help determine that amount of detergent to be used and the required wash time.
It’s simply a setting that’s designed to help you get your laundry cleaned effectively.
You can adjust the settings to your preference depending on the kind of fabric you’re washing and how dirty it is.
I hope you’ve grasped the idea behind washing machine soil level.
What Soil Level Should I Use?
Basically, the soil level settings you are required to use will depend on the type of fabric you’re washing and how dirty the fabric is.
There are three soil level settings and they include;
- Light Soil Level
- Normal Soil Level
- Heavy Soil Level
You need to select the correct and most suitable settings in order to effectively clean your fabric and avoid damaging the clothes.
Now, let’s discuss these levels and the kind of fabrics that can be washed in each of them.
#1. Light Soil Setting
This is the lightest soil level and it’s recommended that you use it for light worn fabrics with no or less visible stains.
You should only use the light soil setting for delicate or fragile items that can easily get damaged.
These types of fabrics don’t require intense wash and lots of soaps to get cleaned.
#2. Normal Soil Setting
The normal soil setting is the most commonly used option for basic laundry. It is used to wash mid-range fabrics that are not too delicate and too dirty.
Items that fall in this category include T-shirts, socks, sweatshirts, underwear and many more.
They don’t usually contain huge amounts of soil and you don’t necessarily need heavy washing to get them clean.
#3. Heavy Soil Setting
You should select this setting for clothes that are heavy soiled and hard to clean. This setting will require more water, soap and wash time compared to others.
It’s best for fabrics like bed sheets, thick towels, fabric furniture covers, outdoor game uniforms, gym clothes and so on.
Below is a table that shows you examples of fabrics that’s suitable for different soil levels.
| Light Soil | Normal Soil | Heavy Soil |
| Chiffon | T-shirt | Denim jeans |
| Cashmere sweater | Polyester dress | Towels and bed linens |
| Silk blouse | Pants and underwears | Gym Clothes |
| Lace underwear | Socks | Beddings |
The Soil Levels For Different Washing Machines
There are different brands of washers with specific soil level which includes:
Maytag washer soil level
If you’re using a Maytag washer, your soil setting is just 3 levels.
- Light soil level for light and delicate items.
- Normal soil level for items with a normal amount of soil.
- Heavy soil level for heavily soiled and dirty clothings.
Whirlpool washer soil level
If you’re using a whirlpool washer, your soil setting is just 3 levels.
- Light soil level for delicate items.
- Normal soil level for items with a normal amount of soil.
- Heavy soil level for heavily soiled fabrics.
Insignia top load washer
If you’re using an insignia washer, your soil setting is 5 levels.
- Extra Light level for hand wash cycles.
- Light soil level for quick wash cycles.
- Medium level can be used for normal wash.
- Heavy soil level can be used for bulky clothings.
- Extra Heavy soil level for heavy duty cycles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is soil level on a washer?
The soil level on a washing machine is the level of dirt or soil that is on your laundry. It allows you to choose the extent at which you want your clothes to be washed.
The Soil Level option allows you to select a light, normal, or heavy soil level setting.
Is soil level the same as water level?
Not at all. Soil Level indicates the quantity of soil or dirt on your laundry while water level is the amount of water which is present in your washer.
How do I determine the soil level of my laundry?
You can do that by inspecting the quantity of stain on your clothes. When you’ve identified and differentiated clothes that are heavily soiled from those that are light.
Then you can use the suitable soil setting to clean them up appropriately.
