That makes perfect sense.

Thank you Badger

the conical flask one is for synthetics ie will be 'gentler' and have a lower spin speed and a lower dryer temp.

the cloud is meant to be a cotton boll and will have a faster spin speed and a higher drying temp.

Remember the drying function of washer/dryers is notoriously shit though - you are better off using a clothes horse by the radiator. And even if you do use it never try and dry more than half a washload at a time.

The AA programme is the economy/ energy efficient one, but this is most likely because it uses cold water and/or a v low drying temp, so needs to run for longer to get the same amount of cleaning/drying done, iyswim - our dishwasher has similar.

I tried googling but nothing comes up.

You can buy one for £7.50 though!

Can you google the make and model number? A lot of the manuals can be found online these days.

the conical symbol might mean synthetic fibres?
on ours A is the longest, hottest cycle.
maybe the cloud is a cotton thingy?

it's a Howdens I thik

what make is the washing machine?

We are in a rented house and there is no instruction manual for the washing machine.

There appear to be various different programmes at 40 degrees (none at 30 ) but I can't work out the difference.

There are 2 symbols, one that looks like a conical flask and one that looks like a cloud. There are the same 2 symbols on the dryer setting.

And then there is one that says AA which I thought would be the economy one but it lasts for nearly 3 hours

Help!