Most washing machines have similar features as follows: Regular/normal cycle: advisable for whites, sportswear, underwear, socks and t-shirts. Though efficiently removing stains, normal cycle may cause coloured clothes to fade due to strong agitation speeds and hot water. Delicates: for lightweight and delicate clothes. Make sure to check the labels as some delicate clothes are “dry-clean only”. This feature is advisable for cotton blend sweaters, linen shirts and dri-fit sportswear. Heavy duty: this is recommended for heavily soiled clothing and muddy items. Heavy duty cycles offer longer, warmer washes and high-speed tumbling to make sure all the dirt is flushed out and removed. Read more: How to wash shoes in a washing machine and How to wash pillowcases in a washing machine.