The control panel of a washing machine is covered with buttons and switches, the purpose of which most users never bother to check. One of them — the extra rinse function — can be especially useful if your clothes still smell unpleasant or show visible traces of detergent after a wash. According to Styler (an RBC-Ukraine project), this option adds one more rinsing stage to the selected program, which washes out significantly more detergent residue from the fabric. The manuals for a number of models explicitly state that this option improves rinsing efficiency and helps remove detergent from the fibers as thoroughly as possible.
When to Use the Extra Rinse Cycle
Experts recommend using this function in several specific situations. First, if you're washing clothes with a large amount of detergent. Second, when the drum is fully or almost fully loaded. Third, if after a regular cycle the fabric still feels too "soapy" to the touch or light traces of powder are visible on dark clothing. The extra rinse button is particularly relevant when washing towels, bed linen, and bulky items — fabrics that absorb a lot of detergent and release it less effectively during a standard rinse. In addition, the function can be useful for people with sensitive skin that is prone to irritation from surfactant residue.
Expert Tip: the Problem Is Often in the Dosage
Rich Handel, a washing expert at Consumer Reports, emphasizes: don't overdo it with detergent. In his words, an excess of powder or gel leads to residue buildup right inside the washing machine and leaves clothes feeling soapy. If your clothes still smell or feel of detergent after a regular cycle, don't increase the dose — on the contrary, check how much detergent you're actually using, and if necessary enable the extra rinse as a supporting tool.
Should You Keep the Function Switched On All the Time?
No. If you use the correct amount of detergent, don't overload the drum, and your clothes rinse out well after washing, the extra cycle isn't necessary. Moreover, this function increases water consumption compared to a standard rinse cycle — the exact amount depends on the specific model and how full the drum is. There's no point in leaving the button switched on permanently: it's designed for situations where clothes genuinely need a more thorough rinse, not to make every regular wash "even cleaner."
The Golden Rule: Eliminate the Cause, Not the Symptom
If the problem of powder residue or a soapy-feeling fabric keeps recurring regularly, before enabling the extra rinse every single time, check two parameters: the amount of detergent you're using and the degree of drum loading. The extra rinse fixes the symptom, but it doesn't eliminate the root cause. Correct dosing and a sensible machine load solve the problem at its source, while the extra rinse function remains a useful reserve for special cases — a heavy load, delicate fabrics, or washing with sensitive skin.
