Have you observed the settings on your washing machine and questioned yourself, asking, What is the soil level on a washing machine? I am not the only one. Without knowing it, most of us set it on the default, and it is possible that this option actually does something positive, like cleaning our laundry better, and attains water and energy savings.
We are going to explain it in an easy and neighborly manner in this guide. Be it damp gym wear, muddy socks, or even lightly worn shirts, knowing how dirty your clothes are can assist you in having a superb wash each time. It is time to get in and see what a difference this little setting makes!
What Does Soil Level Mean on a Washing Machine?
The soil level on a washer refers to how dirty or soiled your laundry is. It helps your washing machine adjust the cycle time, water usage, and sometimes even spin speed to match the dirtiness of the clothes.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Soil Level | Description | Best For |
| Light Soil | Clothes that were worn once, no visible stains | Everyday wear |
| Normal Soil | Slightly dirty, mildly stained clothes | T-shirts, workwear |
| Heavy Soil | Muddy, greasy, or deeply stained clothes | Gym clothes, children’s clothing |
This setting ensures you don’t overwash lightly soiled items or underwash heavily soiled ones.
Why Soil Level Matters in Laundry
Choosing the correct soil level for washer cycles affects
- Cleaning performance: Heavily soiled clothes need more agitation and detergent time.
- Water and energy use: Light soil cycles use less water and energy.
- Fabric care: Lighter cycles protect delicate clothing.
Using the right soil level on the washing machine gives you cleaner clothes and extends their life.
Common Soil Level Options and What They Mean
It is important that one knows the soil level on a washer to get the best wash on various types of laundry. When washing lightly used garments or heavily soiled work clothes, there is a great difference in cleanliness, water consumption, and how to care for the fabric when selecting the appropriate soil level setting.
The majority of the latest washing machines have between 3 and 5 settings to choose the soil level options, using terms such as “Light,” “Normal,” and “Heavy.” These are what each one of them means:
1. Light Soil Level:
When the Light soil is implied, the clothes are hardly used or perhaps only once with no stain or smell. This setting is ideal where you require a quick wash by using less water and energy.
- Wash Time: Shortest
- Water Use: Little
- Agitation: Gentle
- Best For: Worn shirts or blouses
- Office wear
- Summer clothes
- Wear without spots on them
Hint: The setting is energy-saving and ideal when you want to do numerous washes or hurry up.
2. Normal (Medium) Soil Level:
Most washers are set at the normal soil level by default. It is a compromise between cleaning power and tender protection of your gentle fabric care, perfect for everyday loading that is not quite dirty but just requires a wash.
- Wash Time: It is medium.
- Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Standard
- Agitation: Moderate
- Best For:
- T-shirts, jeans, casual Cuisine
- Filmy washed clothes
- Garments that are not evidently soiled and worn all through the day
Suggested: This is the best and most versatile and efficient setting to use in the case of mixed laundry or a normal family washing.
3. Heavy Soil Level:
If your laundry is really dirty—think mud, oil, sweat, or food stains—then go with the heavy soil level. This setting extends the wash time and increases agitation for deep cleaning.
- Wash Time: Longest
- Water Use: High
- Agitation: Strong
- Best For:
- Gym clothes
- Children’s clothes with stains
- Work uniforms
- Towels or sheets with visible dirt
Note: While this setting gets rid of tough grime, it can be harder on fabrics. Don’t use it too often for fragile items.
4. Extreme Heavy Soil Level (Some washers only):
To deal with extreme messes, some elite washers will have an Extra Heavy or Super Dirty soil level.
Best For:
- Construction uniforms or mechanic uniforms
- Pet bedding
- Camping clothes or hiking clothes
Pro Tip: Pretreat the obvious stains first, then consider using this level to get the best results.
Summary Table: Soil Level Options:
| Soil Level | Description | Best Used For | Wash Time |
| Light | Barely dirty, no visible stains | Lightly worn clothes, office wear | Short |
| Normal/Medium | Moderately dirty, mild stains | Every day laundry, mixed loads | Medium |
| Heavy | Very dirty, stained | Sportswear, kids’ clothes, and greasy items | Long |
| Extra Heavy | Extremely dirty or muddy items | Outdoor wear, pet items, and mechanic gear | Longest |
How to Choose the Right Soil Level:
The soil level washer should be adjusted to the type of clothes you want to wash to achieve the best results:
- Light Soil: apply on clothes that have no observed dirt. Deal with clothes.
- Medium/Normal Soil: Apply on lightly soiled or slightly soiled cloths.
- Heavy Soil Setting: Select this setting when doing a load that has stains, oils, and also dirty washing.
Pro Tip: Your washer manual will always tell you the exact level of soap you should use.
How Soil Level Affects Washing Machine Performance:
Adjusting what soil level means on washer settings changes several things:
- Cycle Duration: Heavier soil levels increase wash time.
- Water Consumption: More soiled clothes need more water.
- Detergent Use: Some machines recommend more detergent for heavier soils.
- Fabric Stress: Heavy soil cycles can be rough on delicate items.
Knowing your soil level on the washing machine helps you balance clean clothes with fabric care.
Soil Level vs. Water Level:
It’s easy to confuse these two:
| Feature | Soil Level | Water Level |
| Purpose | Measures how dirty the clothes are | Measures how much water is used |
| Affects | Wash time, agitation | Soaking level for laundry |
| User Control | Adjustable in most modern washers | Often automatic in HE machines |
Both work together, but the soil level focuses more on cleaning intensity.
Soil Washer Settings on Different Machine Brands
Each washer brand may label soil levels differently. Here’s a glance:
| Brand | Label Examples |
| Whirlpool | Light, Medium, Heavy Soil |
| Samsung | Soil Level: Light, Normal, Heavy |
| LG | Soil: Low, Normal, High |
| GE | Soil Level Selector (Light to Heavy) |
| Maytag | Extra Light, Light, Normal, Heavy |
Always refer to your model’s manual for details.
Tips for Getting the Best Wash with Soil Level Settings
Here are some practical tips:
- Pre-treat stains on heavily soiled clothes before washing.
- Don’t overuse heavy soil; it wears out fabrics faster.
- For mixed loads, choose the normal soil level.
- Clean your washer monthly to avoid buildup from heavy washes.
FAQs:
What is the meaning of level on the soil of a washer?
It makes the machine know how dirty the clothes are and shortens or lengthens the time and intensity it washes them.
Do I always go with heavy soil so that it can be cleaned?
Not necessarily. Excessive use of the heavy soil environment consumes a lot of water, as well as wears clothes. Correspond the soil index with the real dirtiness.
Is the soil level equal to the type of the cycle?
No. The level of soil is a context of a cycle. As an example, a normal cycle can contain the levels light, medium, and heavy of soil.
What happens if my washer lacks a soil level?
Older or primitive washers resort to automatic wash control depending upon the type of cycle and size of load.
Conclusion:
After knowing what the soil level is on a washing machine, you can take advantage of it. It is not all about clean clothes but rather cleaning smarter. When you operate the soil level washer setting, you save water, save your clothes, and achieve better results each time. When cleaning an everyday shirt or a pair of stained blue jeans, the selection of the proper setting will simplify washing tasks and save your time. If you’re ever unsure about how your washer’s functions work—or if something goes wrong—reaching out to the best appliance repair Toronto service can help you keep things running smoothly. Therefore, the next time you run laundry, spend an extra minute and balance the amount of soil level on the washing machine, and your clothes, as well as your wallet, will be grateful.