What Is Soil on Washing Machine?

You see the soil setting on your washing machine but you’re not sure what it means. Maybe you’ve never adjusted it, or you’re not sure what level to choose. The soil level controls how long and how hard the machine washes your clothes. Here’s what soil level means and how to choose the right one.

The soil level on a washing machine is a setting that controls the wash time, agitation level, and number of rinses based on how dirty the clothes are. Higher soil levels mean longer wash times, more agitation, and extra rinses. Lower soil levels mean shorter wash times, less agitation, and fewer rinses. Choosing the right soil level saves energy, reduces wear on clothes, and ensures proper cleaning.

To choose the right soil level, select light for freshly worn clothes, normal for everyday clothes, heavy for work clothes and kids’ clothes, and extra heavy for mud, grease, and food stains. Don’t use heavy soil for lightly soiled clothes, and don’t use light soil for heavily soiled clothes.

Soil Level Guide

Soil Level	Best For	Wash Time	Agitation	Extra Rinse
Light	Freshly worn clothes	25 to 35 min	Low	No
Normal	Everyday clothes	35 to 50 min	Medium	No
Heavy	Work clothes, kids’ clothes	50 to 65 min	High	Yes
Extra Heavy	Mud, grease, food stains	60 to 80 min	Very high	Yes

How Soil Level Affects Washing

Wash Time

Higher soil levels increase wash time. More time means more cleaning but also more wear on clothes.

Agitation

Higher soil levels increase agitation. More agitation removes more dirt but can damage delicate fabrics.

Number of Rinses

Higher soil levels add extra rinses. Extra rinses remove more detergent and dirt.

Water Level

Some machines adjust water level based on soil level. Higher soil levels may use more water.

Energy Use

Higher soil levels use more energy. Choose the lowest soil level that gets clothes clean.

When to Use Each Soil Level

Light Soil

Use for:

• Freshly worn clothes with no visible stains
• Clothes worn for a few hours
• Delicate fabrics
• Clothes that just need freshening

Normal Soil

Use for:

• Everyday clothes
• Lightly soiled clothes
• Most regular loads
• Clothes with minor stains

Heavy Soil

Use for:

• Work clothes
• Kids’ clothes
• Clothes with visible dirt
• Towels and bedding
• Clothes with sweat stains

Extra Heavy Soil

Use for:

• Mud stains
• Grease stains
• Food stains
• Heavily soiled work clothes
• Sports uniforms

What Works

Match Soil Level to Dirt Level

The most important rule: match the soil level to how dirty the clothes are. Don’t use heavy soil for clean clothes, and don’t use light soil for dirty clothes.

Pre-Treat Stains for Heavy Soil

For heavy and extra heavy soil, pre-treat stains before washing:

• Oil and grease: Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
• Food and organic: OxiClean Max Force Spray
• Heavy grease: Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam
• Ink: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

Use Tide Free and Gentle

Use 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per regular load.

Add Baking Soda for Heavy Soil

Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda for heavy and extra heavy soil loads.

Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse for softening and deodorizing.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for heavy and extra heavy soil loads.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

Use the Right Cycle with the Right Soil Level

Pair the soil level with the right cycle:

• Light soil + gentle cycle for delicates
• Normal soil + normal cycle for everyday clothes
• Heavy soil + heavy duty cycle for towels and work clothes
• Extra heavy soil + heavy duty cycle for mud and grease

What to Avoid

Don’t use heavy soil for lightly soiled clothes. It wastes energy and causes extra wear. Use light or normal soil.

Don’t use light soil for heavily soiled clothes. Clothes won’t get clean. Use heavy or extra heavy soil.

Don’t use heavy soil with the delicate cycle. The agitation level may not match. Use light soil with the delicate cycle.

Don’t forget to pre-treat stains. Even with heavy soil, pre-treating stains gives better results.

Don’t use too much detergent. More detergent doesn’t replace the need for the right soil level. Use 2 tablespoons.

FAQ

What is soil level on a washing machine? The soil level controls wash time, agitation, and number of rinses based on how dirty the clothes are. Higher soil levels mean longer wash times, more agitation, and extra rinses.

What soil level should I use? Use light for freshly worn clothes, normal for everyday clothes, heavy for work clothes and kids’ clothes, and extra heavy for mud, grease, and food stains.

Does soil level affect wash time? Yes. Higher soil levels increase wash time. Light soil takes 25 to 35 minutes, normal takes 35 to 50 minutes, heavy takes 50 to 65 minutes, and extra heavy takes 60 to 80 minutes.

Does soil level affect energy use? Yes. Higher soil levels use more energy. Choose the lowest soil level that gets clothes clean.

Can you use heavy soil for all clothes? No. Heavy soil causes extra wear on clothes. Use it only for heavily soiled items. Use light or normal for everyday clothes.

References

1. Tide. “Soil Level Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Washing Machine Settings Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Soil Level Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Consumer Reports. “Washing Machine Guide.” consumerreports.org.