Clean Everything: Should you be touching your washer’s settings?

Plus: An on-sale magic toilet spray

View in browser July 23, 2025 If you're not adjusting the settings on your washer, you're doing laundry wrong Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter Your washing machine's Normal cycle works just fine. But it's not optimized to tackle specific challenges like washing away solid dirt or removing detergent residue. Tweaking the settings can help you more effectively scrub away stains and buildup, get rid of odors, and save you from running repeat cycles. Liam McCabe — who has spent more than 14 years testing machines, learning from repair techs, and beyond — handpicked a few of the most important settings for cleaner clothes and linens: Consider cold water as your default: It works pretty well at getting rid of stains, and it can keep your clothes looking better for longer. Plus, you'll save a few dollars on energy every year. For stubborn smells: Go with hot water. It does a superior job at getting rid of odor-causing bacteria. To break up stubborn stains: Although you can always manually pretreat tough stains, your washer's Pre-Wash option, if it has one, might allow you to skip that step. To wash away mud, lint, and pet hair: Use extra water. In low-water washes, solid soils tend to redeposit right back onto your clothes — like washing in muddy water. So flooding the tub is usually the best way to handle solid stains, like those on a dirty cloth diaper or a muddy soccer uniform. Every setting Liam recommends — and the best ways to use them→ We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more › Plus: How to clean your washing machine Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter The damp, dark crevices of a washing machine are festering grounds for mildew, mold, and sticky biofilm. To keep it performing at its best, you're going to need to periodically clean the thing itself. Most high-efficiency washers have a dedicated self-cleaning cycle, which is essentially a long, hot program meant to be run with an empty tub and a specialized cleaning product. But even with that, you'll still want to take a few manual steps like wiping gunk out of the detergent drawer and clearing the gaskets. And you should be deep-cleaning the machine at least twice a year. How to deep-clean a front-loader→ Today's great cleaning deal: A magic spray that keeps the toilet stain-free This spray has one job, and it does it well. A monthly spritz prevents unsightly stains inside the toilet bowl and makes it so much easier to keep clean. Plus, fewer cleansing flushes means less water wasted. Our deals experts found it for 25% off today. Get the deal→ READ THE REVIEW This magic spray prevents your toilet from getting skid marks→ What's new from our cleaning experts It's time to clean your blow dryer brush If your beauty routine includes a Shark FlexStyle, Dyson Airwrap, or any other blow dryer brush, here's how to tune it up→ Yes, you need to clean an outdoor rug Though it's built to withstand the elements, you still need to give it some TLC to prolong its life and prevent stains from setting in→ A good shop vacuum can handle the worst messes most floors will ever see These heavy-duty machines suck up water, sawdust, nails, and screws with vigor→ Sign up for The Recommendation. Independent reviews, expert advice, and intensively researched deals from Wirecutter experts. Get it in your inbox Thanks for reading. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can't always respond, but we do love to hear from you. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Clean Everything from The New York Times. To stop receiving Clean Everything, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018