The permanent press cycle is a setting on a washing machine and dryer that can help remove or reduce wrinkles, minimize fading, shrinking, and pilling, and protect clothes that are prone to wrinkling, color-fading, shrinking, and stretching. The permanent press cycle washes clothes in warm water and rinses them in cool water, and agitation and spin cycles are mild. On a dryer, the permanent press cycle uses medium heat and an additional cool-down period to help keep clothes from wrinkling or creasing. The permanent press cycle is typically used for clothes that wrinkle easily, such as permanent press shirts and other clothes that have been treated with a special finish to help keep them wrinkle-free and are typically labeled “wrinkle-free” or “wash-and-wear” . It is also recommended for synthetic fabrics, including rayon, nylon, spandex, and polyester, and clothes that cannot be ironed. However, the gentleness of the permanent press cycle can be ineffective on some loads and harmful to others, so it is important to sort clothes and read the care labels before using this setting.