As the name suggests, Cottons Universal I use for 80% of loads, altering the temperature to suit the load.  Minimum Iron if the load contains more delicate clothes, say, 15% of the time, and Cottons Hygiene/Woollens/Quick Wash make up the other 5%.  I will use Denim if I have a full load of jeans, but that's very rare nowadays and the odd pair of jeans will go in with darks.

Paul - interesting approach you have to spinning.  I never turn the spin down, and my washers coming up to 6 now, has washed for a navy and a half, and plenty of life in it yet :).

Jon

In my Miele

Cottons 120f  default quick cycle with added options of cold pre-wash(heated to warm before wash starts), water+ extra rinse for white underwear and sock loads 

Cottons 190f Extended option(European time length), water+ extra rinse for  heavily soil white load

Cottons 105f default quick cycle for most light and bright colors and sheets except dark black or blue

Cottons 65f default quick cycle for dark cottons

Perma Press 65f for dark cotton dress slacks

Dress shirts 105f for dress and casual shirts

Jeans 105f for jeans

Delicates 105f for fleece sweat shirts and pants

Delicates 85f for Lycra gym clothes

Silk -  tap cold for one or two items once in a while.

Spin speeds:  I use High for most cotton loads, Max for white underwear and socks, medium for Perma press and delicates, medium for jeans.  One thing about the speeds is that even though you may select high for jeans or perma press you will only get the last 30 seconds at the high speed.  The spin speeds before that will be a combination of burst spins, and low or  medium speeds until the last 30 seconds. There are no interim spins in Jeans and delicates programs.