Many people notice the same thing the first time they use a modern washing machine:
“This used to take an hour. Why is it nearly three?”
It feels inefficient.
It feels worse than older machines.
It often feels broken.
In most cases, it isn’t.
Longer wash cycles are a design choice, not a fault.
Older machines cleaned with force
Modern machines clean with time
Older washing machines relied on:
- hotter water
- more water
- stronger agitation
- faster spinning
They cleaned clothes by being aggressive.
Modern machines are designed to:
- use less energy
- use less water
- protect fabrics
- meet efficiency regulations
To compensate, they clean more slowly and deliberately.
Time replaces force.
What actually adds time to modern cycles
1. Lower water temperatures
Heating water uses a lot of energy.
Many modern washes:
- heat water gradually
- use lower target temperatures
- maintain temperature for longer
Cleaning still happens — just more slowly.
2.
Reduced water levels
Using less water means:
- detergent works differently
- rinsing takes longer
- more drum movement is needed
Extra time replaces extra water.
3.
Load sensing
Modern machines adjust the cycle based on:
- weight of clothes
- fabric absorbency
- moisture retention
If the load is:
- heavier than expected
- more absorbent
- unevenly distributed
…the machine extends the cycle rather than rushing it.
4.
Extended rinse stages
Instead of one aggressive rinse, machines often use:
- multiple gentle rinses
- pauses between rinses
- slower spins to protect fibres
This improves fabric care, but adds time.
Why the display time often changes
Many machines show:
- an estimated time at the start
- then adjust as the cycle runs
If the time jumps up or down, it doesn’t mean something has gone wrong.
It means the machine has learned more about the load.
This can feel unsettling if you expect the timer to be fixed.
Eco modes are the slowest — by design
Eco programs often:
- run the longest
- feel the weakest
- appear inefficient
They save energy by:
- using lower heat
- spreading work over more time
- avoiding peak power draw
They cost less to run, but feel worse to use.
That mismatch causes a lot of confusion.
When long cycles are usually normal
Long wash times are normal if:
- clothes come out clean
- water drains properly
- the cycle eventually finishes
- no error codes appear
A 2–4 hour cycle can be completely normal on modern machines.
When long cycles may indicate a problem
Long cycles may indicate an issue if:
- times keep increasing every wash
- the machine never reaches spin
- water is left inside at the end
- cycles run indefinitely without finishing
Those situations suggest the machine is failing to complete a stage, not deliberately extending it.
They’re covered separately.
The key trade-off to understand
Modern machines prioritise:
- efficiency
- fabric protection
- regulation compliance
Not speed.
If speed matters more than energy use, a non-eco or quick program often behaves closer to older machines — at a higher running cost.
The simple rule
If the machine:
- finishes the cycle
- cleans the clothes
- doesn’t show errors
Then the long duration is intentional, not a defect.
Time has become part of the cleaning process.