What Is Perm Press in Washing Machine | Midea Canada

In this guide, we’ll explain what is perm press in washing machines and dryers, how it works, and when to use it. You’ll learn which clothes benefit from it, which ones don’t, and how it compares to normal and delicate cycles. Keep reading to master your laundry routine.

What Is Perm Press?

Permanent Press, or Perm Press, helps clothes stay smooth and wrinkle-free. You’ll see it on tags as “Wrinkle Resistant” or “Easy Care.”

It became popular in the 1950s with polyester and cotton blends. People loved how it cut down on ironing and kept clothes looking neat.

Today, Perm Press also means a gentle wash cycle. It cleans well while protecting the fabric’s wrinkle-resistant finish.

What Is Permanent Press in Washing Machines?

The Permanent Press cycle uses warm water, gentle movement, and a cool rinse. This helps clean clothes well without being too rough on them.

It spins slower than a normal wash, which keeps wrinkles and fabric wear to a minimum. The cool rinse helps the material relax, so clothes come out smoother.

This cycle usually lasts about 30 minutes and helps prevent shrinking, stretching, fading, and wrinkles. It’s great for fabrics like polyester, nylon, and rayon.

What Is Permanent Press on Dryers?

The Permanent Press setting on a dryer uses medium heat and then a cool tumble to dry clothes gently and reduce wrinkles. The warm air dries fabrics evenly, and the cool air at the end helps them stay smooth.

Clothes look better when you take them out right after the cycle stops. Leaving them in the dryer too long can cause new wrinkles to appear.

How Does the Perm Press Cycle Work?

The Perm Press cycle helps clean and dry clothes while reducing wrinkles. It uses gentle steps in both the washer and dryer to protect fabrics and keep them smooth.

In the Washing Machine

1.        Warm Wash: Warm water helps dissolve detergent and clean clothes without shrinking the fabric.

2.        Gentle Motion: The washer moves slowly to avoid too much rubbing or stretching.

3.        Cool Rinse: The water cools down near the end to relax fibers and prevent creases.

4.        Slow Spin: A gentle spin removes water without twisting or wrinkling clothes.

In the Dryer

1.        Medium Heat: Clothes tumble in moderate heat so they dry evenly without damage.

2.        Cool Tumble: The cycle finishes with cool air that smooths out light wrinkles.

These steps make the Perm Press cycle perfect for polyester, rayon, and cotton blends, helping them stay soft, smooth, and wrinkle-free. In an all-in-one washer-dryer combo, this setting runs from wash to dry in one go, keeping fabrics protected and clothes looking freshly pressed.

Benefits of Using the Perm Press Cycle

The Perm Press cycle makes laundry easier, safer for your clothes, and more energy-efficient. It’s a smart choice for everyday fabrics that need gentle care without losing their shape. Its benefits include:

• Reduces Wrinkles: Gentle washing and a cool rinse keep clothes smooth and tidy.
• Protects Fabrics: Lower heat and slower movement prevent damage, shrinking, and fraying.
• Saves Energy: Moderate heat means less power use and lower bills.
• Cuts Ironing Time: Clothes often come out looking ready to wear.
• Keeps Clothes Lasting Longer: Softer washing helps fabrics stay strong, soft, and fresh over time.

When Should You Use the Perm Press Setting?

The Perm Press setting on laundry appliances works best for clothes that need gentle care to stay smooth and wrinkle-free. Use this setting when:

The care label says “Permanent Press” or “Tumble Dry.”

• You’re washing polyester, rayon, nylon, or spandex.
• The fabric is labeled “Wrinkle-Free” or “Easy Care.”
• You’re cleaning shirts, slacks, or pleated items that need to keep their shape.
• The clothes are lightly to moderately dirty.
• You want to protect colors from fading.
• The fabric can’t be ironed or is sensitive to heat.

Tips for Using the Perm Press Cycle

Following these simple care habits helps preserve your clothes’ shape, color, and wrinkle-resistant finish.

• Sort carefully: Wash permanent press fabrics separately from heavy or rough items.
• Use mild detergent: Choose one that’s gentle or color-safe to protect the material.
• Don’t overload: Give clothes room to move so wrinkles don’t set in.
• Unload quickly: Take them out right after the cycle ends to keep them smooth.

In short, the Perm Press cycle is perfect for everyday clothes that wrinkle easily but don’t need heavy cleaning. Handle them promptly, and they’ll stay fresh and ready to wear.

What Clothes Should Not Go on Perm Press?

The Perm Press setting is useful, but it’s not right for every fabric. Some materials need stronger cleaning or gentler care to stay in good shape. Avoid using this cycle for the following:

• Denim and Heavy Cotton: These need stronger agitation and higher heat to clean properly.
• Delicate Fabrics: Materials like silk, lace, or chiffon can stretch, tear, or snag.
• Wool and Cashmere: The heat and movement can cause shrinking or matting.
• Towels and Bedding (100% Cotton): The slower spin can leave them damp.
• Hot-Wash Items: Whites or clothes that need sanitizing require higher temperatures.

Tip: For these fabrics, use the Normal or Delicate settings based on the care label. This helps protect your clothes and keeps them looking their best.

Key Differences from Other Cycles

To know when to use the Perm Press cycle, it helps to see how it compares with other common settings like Normal and Delicate. Each cycle is built for different fabric needs and cleaning strength.

Perm Press vs. Normal Cycle

The Normal cycle uses hot water and strong agitation to clean tough fabrics like towels and jeans. It’s made for heavy, everyday loads, while Perm Press offers a gentler clean for lighter or wrinkle-prone clothes.

Perm Press vs. Delicate Cycle

The Delicate cycle protects fragile items like silk or lace with cold water and very light movement. Perm Press offers a little more strength, gentle enough to prevent damage but effective for wrinkle-prone clothes.

Conclusion

Now you know what does permanent press mean on a washing machine. This cycle offers a balance between effective cleaning and fabric protection. It uses warm water, gentle motion, and a cool rinse to reduce wrinkles and extend clothing life.

Midea washers take this a step further with precise temperature control and balanced motion. Each cycle delivers cleaner, fresher, and smoother results, so your clothes come out ready to wear every time.

FAQs

Which is better, perm press or normal wash?

Neither one is better for everything. It depends on what you’re washing.

The Normal cycle works well for strong fabrics like jeans, towels, and sheets that can handle a rougher wash.

The Perm Press cycle is softer and uses warm water with slower spins. It’s better for clothes that wrinkle easily or are made from mixed fabrics.

Pick the setting that matches your clothes to keep them clean and in good shape.

Will perm press shrink clothes?

The Perm Press cycle uses warm water and gentle spinning, so it’s much less likely to cause shrinking than a hot wash.

However, natural fabrics like cotton can still shrink a little if they’re dried on high heat.

To be safe, use a medium or low heat setting in the dryer to keep your clothes in the right shape.

Can I wash normal clothes on a perm press?

Yes, you can wash most everyday clothes on the Perm Press cycle. It cleans effectively while protecting the fabric’s wrinkle-resistant finish.

However, heavy items like jeans, towels, or bedding may not get as clean since this cycle uses less movement and lower heat.

Use Perm Press for light to medium loads and switch to the Normal cycle for tougher fabrics or dirtier clothes.