Samsung washing machine cycles & program settings explained

Updated : 6th July, 2026

The exact cycles on your washing machine will depend on the model you have.  The best way to find out all the different cycles available to you, as well as how to use them, is by looking in your user manual.

Please note: Exact wash times and temperatures will vary depending on the weight of the wash load in the machine. 

To make the most of your washing machine, you need to use the right program for the load you want to wash. Here you can find some information about the different cycles you can use.

Please note: The cycles available on your washing machine will depend on the exact model number. To confirm, please refer to the user manual.

Cycle

Description

Max Load

COTTON

For cottons, bed linens, table linens, underwear, towels,

or shirts. The washing time and the rinse count are

automatically adjusted according to the load. A 20 °C

wash in a 9 kg machine usually lasts 3 hours 19 mins. A

60 ° C wash (9kg) usually lasts 2 hours 25 minutes.

Timings will vary across appliances

MAX

E COTTON

Optimal performance with lower energy for cotton

fabrics, bed linens, table linens, underwear, towels, or

shirts. For energy saving, the actual washing temperature

may be lower than specified.

MAX

SYNTHETICS

For blouses or shirts that are made of polyester (diolen,

trevira), polyamide (perlon, nylon), or similar materials.

This cycle (4kg) usually runs at up to 40 °C and lasts for

approximately 2 hours 25 minutes.

4kg

WOOL

Specific for machine-washable wool for loads less

than 2.0 kg.

The WOOL cycle features gentle cradling and soaking to

protect the wool fibres from shrinkage/ distortion. This

cycle uses up to a 40 °C wash.

A neutral detergent is recommended.

2kg

SPIN

Featuring an additional spin process to effectively

remove moisture from laundry.

MAX

DENIM

Featuring a higher water level in the main wash and an

extra rinse cycle to ensure that no powder detergent

remains. This wash usually operates up to 40 °C.

3kg

RINSE + SPIN

Featuring an additional rinse process after applying

fabric softener to the laundry.

MAX

ECO DRUM CLEAN

Cleans the drum by removing dirt and bacteria from the

drum.

Perform once every 40 washes with no detergent or

bleach applied.

Make sure the drum is empty.

Do not use any cleaning agents for cleaning the drum.

SUPER ECO WASH

Low temperature ecobubble cycle helps reduce power

consumption.

4kg

15' QUICK WASH

For lightly soiled garments in less than 2.0 kg that you

want to wash quickly. This cycle usually lasts

approximately 15 minutes and uses up to 40 °C.

Use less than 20g of detergent. Using more than 20g of

detergent may leave detergent residue.

For liquid detergent, use a max of 20ml.

2kg

DAILY WASH

For everyday items such as underwear and shirts.

4kg

DELICATES

For sheer fabrics, bras, lingerie (silk), and other

handwash-only fabrics.

For best performance, use liquid detergent.

2kg

DARK GARMENT

Featuring additional rinses and reduced spinning to

ensure that the laundry is washed gently and rinsed

thoroughly.

4kg

BEDDING

For bed spreads, bed sheets, bedding covers, etc.

For best results, wash only 1 type of bedding and make

sure the load weighs less than 2.0kg.

2kg

BABY CARE

Featuring a high-temperature wash and extra rinses to

help remove the remaining detergent effectively. This

wash can reach up to 90 °C

4kg

OUTDOOR CARE

For outdoor clothes, skiwear, and sportswear that are

made of functional materials such as spandex, stretch,

and micro-fibre. This wash can use up to 40 °C

2kg

SUPER SPEED

Fast completion within 1 hour for everyday items such as

underwear and shirts.

The cycle time will differ depending on the water supply

conditions, and the load and type of laundry.

5kg

DRAIN / SPIN

Select this cycle to drain the water and spin the drum.

MAX

ECO DRUM CLEAN+

Cleans the drum by removing dirt and bacteria from it.

Cleans the rubber door gasket by removing dirt from the

gasket.

Perform once every 40 washes with no detergent or

bleach applied. It notifies automatically after every 40

washes.

Make sure the drum is empty.

Do not use any cleaning agents for cleaning the drum.

AI WASH

Adjusts the amount of detergent and the cycle according

to the load and the soil severity. This cycle is best used

with the Auto Dispense function.

Please note: On the latest Laundry U models, Auto

Optimal Wash is now called AI Wash.

MAX

If you are unsure which laundry is best suited to which wash cycle, read our FAQ on laundry and textile care symbols to find out how best to care for your clothes. 

Option

Description

Pre Wash

This will add a preliminary washing cycle before the main wash cycle.

Intensive

For badly soiled laundry. The operation time for each cycle is longer than normal.

Bubble Soak

Bubble Soak helps remove a variety of stubborn stains.

With Bubble Soak selected, laundry is thoroughly soaked in water bubbles for effective

washing.

Bubble Soak is available with and adds up to 30 minutes to 4 cycles: Cotton, Synthetics,

Denim, and Baby Care.

Quick Wash 15'/30'

Specifically for up to 2 kg of lightly soiled garments.

The cycle time differs depending on the water supply conditions, the load and type of

laundry, soiling levels, and extra options selected.

The cycle time changes from Off > 15 min > 30 min, and back to Off in this sequence.

A recommended amount of detergent is less than 20 g (for a 2 kg load).

Sound On/Off

You can turn on or off the sound from the washing machine. When this function is set to

Off, the AddWash alarm, the melody of cycle completion, and the power-off beep will

not sound. However, the other sounds stay active.

Smart washing machines operate with the Samsung SmartThings app. By using SmartThings, you can create tailored wash cycles designed to give you the perfect wash for your washing load. 

To choose a wash cycle from SmartThings, follow the steps below:

1 Open the SmartThings app on your device.
2 Select your washing machine.
3 Tap on the cycle displayed to open the available cycles.
4 Choose from a list of pre-created cycles.
5 To further adjust a cycle swipe the screen up and use the Temp., Rinse, Spin and Bubble Soak functions.

If you want to add or remove a cycle from your available list either:

1 Tap on the cycle displayed to open the available cycles.
2 Tap Edit in the right corner of the Cycle List.
3 Tap on the minus or plus symbols displayed next to the available cycles to add or remove a cycle from the My cycle list.
4 Tap Save.

Or you can

1 Tap My cycle list.
2 Tap on the minus or plus symbols displayed next to the available cycles to add or remove a cycle from the My cycle list.
3 Tap Save.

It is also possible to access recommended cycles by using the Laundry Recipe function. 

1 Tap on Laundry Recipe.
2 Choose the type of load you want to wash. There are options from Everyday, Underwear, Active wear and Home textile.
3 Tap Next.
4 Select the Colour style and the Soil level.
5 Tap Get Recipe.
6 Choose from the available washes displayed.
7 Tap Send to washer to begin the wash cycle.

To find out more about SmartThings read our FAQ on how to use SmartThings.

If you experience an issue with the length of a wash cycle on your washing machine, try performing a factory reset. To perform a reset, follow the steps below:

Please note: After 10 seconds of inactivity between any of the steps, the washing machine will exit to main menu.

1 Tap and hold the functions button for 3 to 5 seconds.
2 Select O or OK to confirm.
3 Turn the dial to the left 2 times, until you get to Factory Reset.
4 Tap the O button to confirm.
5 Turn the dial to select OK.

Once you have factory reset the appliance the washing machine will automatically turn off.

For explanations of the codes, symbols and icons on your washing machine, read our FAQ on what the codes and symbols on your washing machine mean.

If you are unsure how your washing machine drawer works, read our FAQ on how to use the detergent drawer compartments in your washing machine.

 

Thank you for your feedback!