We all know that our kitchen appliances have various labels and symbols that indicate the different options, functions, settings, and even errors that might come up on our machines. However, it’s not always simple and straightforward to understand what they all mean, especially with all the options on modern washing machines.
If you’ve purchased an Indesit washing machine second-hand, been given one as a gift, or simply don’t have access to your user manual for another reason, you might be scratching your head, wondering what the symbols on your appliance’s control panel might mean.
This article is here to help you out – it’ll break down the images that you’ll see on your washing machine and help you understand what they mean and how you can use them.
Wash Cycle Phase Symbols
On your control panel, you’ll notice a row of indicator lights with a symbol next to each one. These indicator lights will flash during various phases of a wash cycle. The light that flashes will correlate with a specific cycle phase, and each phase can be identified by its symbol.
Here’s what they look like and what they mean.
Wash
Overview:
The Wash phase symbol is a cluster of bubbles indicating that the clothes are being washed during that phase.
Best Used For:
This symbol indicates the washing phase of any cycle and won’t be illuminated at all during a rinse-only cycle or a spin cycle.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
The wash cycle, of course, is the most essential part of your washing machine’s purpose. Being able to use the indicator light to identify when your machine is in this phase is also useful since you can keep an eye on the timing of your cycle.
Rinse
Overview:
The Rinse phase symbol is three water droplets hanging above two wavy lines representing water. This indicates that the clothes are being flushed with clean water to get rid of the soap and rinse them out.
Best Used For:
The rinsing phase is important to ensure that your clothes don’t come out of the machine with any residual soap suds still in them.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
Your clothes need to go through a thorough rinsing cycle to ensure that the soap is all removed. Laundry detergent is often full of chemicals that can be irritating to the skin, so it’s crucial that all of it is removed and drained. The indicator light will let you know when your clothes are being rinsed – this will show that the cycle is almost over.
Spin
Overview:
The Spin phase symbol is indicated by a simple image of a spiral to represent the spinning motion of the washing machine drum during the spin phase of cycle.
Best Used For:
The spin cycle is when the appliance’s drum spins rapidly in order to remove as much of the water from the clothes as possible.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
A thorough spin cycle will ensure that your clothes don’t come out of the machine dripping wet. The spin cycle will dry them partially, enough that you can hang them on a wash line or put them into the tumble dryer to be more thoroughly dried. However, a spin cycle can also stretch out the material of your clothing.
Drain
Overview:
The Drain phase symbol is represented by two wavy lines representing water in the washing machine drum and a single water droplet below this. This indicates the water draining out from the bottom of the drum and exiting the appliance.
Best Used For:
This phase is necessary for the appliance to drain all the water from the rinsing and spinning phases out of the drum so that it doesn’t spill out.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
It’s important for the water to drain out of the machine so that it doesn’t drip onto your floor when you open the washing machine door at the end of the cycle.
End of Wash Cycle
Overview:
The End of Wash Cycle symbol is simply represented by the word ‘END’ in all capital letters.
Best Used For:
This indicator light alerts you to the end of the cycle and is accompanied by a beeping sound.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This is a useful function as it will alert you when your cycle is completed, so you know when you can take your clothes out for drying. Leaving your washed clothes in the washer for too long could cause them to crease and even develop an unpleasant smell.
Other Symbols
Aside from the indicator lights on the control panel, there are a few other symbols that you might notice on your display. Here’s what they mean and how to use them.
Door Locked Indicator Light
Overview:
The Door Locked symbol is easily identified by a locked padlock symbol. The padlock has a keyhole in the middle.
Best Used For:
This shows that the porthole door is locked to prevent it from being accidentally opened during a cycle. You need to ensure that the indicator light is off before opening the door (wait approximately 3 minutes). To open the door during a running wash cycle, press the Start/Pause button; the door may be opened once the Door Locked indicator light turns off.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This function prevents you (or perhaps the children in your home) from accidentally opening the porthole door during a cycle and spilling water onto the floor.
Spin and Drain Function
Overview:
The Spin and Drain symbol combines the symbol for the Spin phase and the Drain phase. It’s represented by a spiral symbol on top of the image of a full drum with a water droplet at the bottom.
Best Used For:
This is a specific partial cycle on your appliance. It includes no wash or rinse cycles but only spins and drains the clothes.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This function is great to use if your clothes are still too wet at the end of the cycle. It’s helpful to use on heavier items like jeans or towels to help get them drier before you hang them out or put them in the tumble dryer.
Cold Wash Function
Overview:
The Cold Wash function is symbolised by a snowflake to indicate a colder temperature wash.
Best Used For:
You can lower the temperature or select a cold wash on any wash cycle. The effective performance levels achieved at cold temperatures, which are comparable to washing at 40°, are guaranteed by a mechanical action that operates at varying speeds, with repeated and frequent peaks.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
A cold wash is gentler on your clothing. This means that clothes are less likely to shrink or fade, and this type of wash can also reduce the creation of creases during the washing process. This function also makes your wash cycles more eco-friendly, since less energy is used to heat the water.
Eco Time Function
Overview:
The Eco Time function symbol is the term ‘Eco Time.’ The ‘O’ in ‘Eco’ is a clock, indicating that this is a quicker function.
Best Used For:
This option is best used for a smaller load of lightly soiled clothes. The option is suitable for both cotton and synthetic fabrics, and it’s recommended to use a liquid detergent.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This will allow you to wash your clothes in less time in order to save time, water, and electricity, making for a more efficient wash overall, especially when you don’t have a full load.
Energy Saver Function
Overview:
The Energy Saver option symbol is the term ‘Energy Saver’. The ‘y’ is designed to look like a wire with a plug, and there is a leaf growing out of the ‘v’. These images indicate a more eco-friendly wash.
Best Used For:
This option can be used on any size load with any type of material. It’s recommended to use a liquid detergent with this option.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This option will save energy by not heating the water used to wash your clothing. Instead of heating the water, this option will intensify the water pressure and wash action to get the same results. This will save you money and is also better for the environment.