What do the energy labels on washing machines mean?

What Does the Energy Efficiency Rating Tell You?

The energy efficiency rating is the most prominent figure on the washing machine energy label, presented as a letter grade from A to G. A is the most efficient, G the least. The rating gives a way to compare the relative energy use of different machines – but it has a significant limitation that is easy to overlook.

The scale tells you that one machine is more efficient than another, but not by how much. The gap between an A-rated and a B-rated machine might represent a meaningful saving over a year, or it might be negligible. Without knowing the actual difference in energy consumption – shown separately as a kWh figure – the letter grade alone is too vague to act on.

How the Rating Scale Changed in 2021

The original A to G scale ran into problems almost immediately after it was introduced. Manufacturers quickly optimised their machines to achieve top ratings, and within a few years virtually every washing machine on the market held an A rating. To restore some differentiation, additional categories were introduced – A+, A++, and eventually A+++ – creating a confusing system that had lost its original purpose.

In March 2021, the energy label was reformed across the UK and EU. The A+ to A+++ categories were abolished and the scale returned to a straightforward A to G. Critically, the bar was reset: most machines on sale today sit in the C, D, or E range. The A and B bands are left empty for now, reserved for future products that go significantly further in efficiency.

This makes the current scale more transparent and easier to read than what preceded it – but the fundamental limitation remains. The rating still compares energy use on a single test cycle, under conditions that do not reflect everyday use for most households.

The Missing Measure: Why Rinsing Is Not Rated

The energy label assesses energy efficiency, spin efficiency, and wash efficiency. It does not assess how well a machine rinses. This is a significant omission – and one that has real consequences for a large number of washing machine owners.

Independent testing has consistently found that many modern washing machines perform poorly when it comes to rinsing laundry. Clothes come out with detergent residue remaining, which can cause skin irritation in people with sensitivities and leaves laundry feeling stiff or uncomfortable. For a detailed look at this issue and its causes, see our guide on why modern washing machines rinse poorly.

Why Do Modern Machines Rinse Poorly?

There are two likely explanations, and both relate directly to the priorities built into the energy labelling system.

The first is water use. Effective rinsing requires a generous volume of water to flush detergent from fabric thoroughly. The ongoing drive to reduce water consumption – which is measured and rated on the energy label – works directly against this. Modern detergents have been developed to wash effectively at lower temperatures and with less water, but no equivalent breakthrough has made thorough rinsing possible with significantly reduced water volumes.

The second is that the label creates no incentive to rinse well. Because rinse performance is not tested or rated, manufacturers face no competitive pressure to improve it. As long as laundry looks clean and stains are removed, the wash efficiency test is passed – regardless of how much detergent residue remains in the fabric after rinsing.

Important for people with skin sensitivities

If you or someone in your household has a skin sensitivity or allergy to laundry detergent, poor rinsing is a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. Consider using a lower detergent dose, selecting an additional rinse cycle, or checking independent test results for rinsing performance before buying. Note that full Which? test data on rinsing requires a subscription to access.

Is Rinsing Performance Tested Independently?

Which? carries out independent washing machine tests that include an assessment of rinsing performance. Their findings have consistently shown that most modern machines rate poorly or very poorly for rinsing – across brands and price points. Which? is an independent consumer organisation that works solely in the interests of its subscribers and does not take advertising revenue from the brands it tests. Their subscription-only test results are the most thorough independent source available for rinsing performance data.

The absence of a rinsing measure from the official energy label means this information does not reach most buyers at the point of purchase. A machine could hold a top energy efficiency rating while rinsing poorly, and the label would give no indication of this.

What About White Streaks and Detergent Residue on Laundry?

Not all detergent residue on laundry is caused by poor machine rinsing. There are several common causes – including using too much detergent, washing at too low a temperature for the detergent type, or a build-up of limescale or product residue inside the machine. If laundry is coming out with white streaks or powder deposits, see our guide on white streaks on laundry after washing for a full list of causes and solutions.

Energy Label Series: All Parts

Part 2: Energy Consumption (kWh per Cycle)
How to read the energy consumption figure and calculate the cost per wash from your electricity unit rate.


Part 3: Wash Performance Ratings
How washing performance is rated on the label, why virtually every machine achieves the same grade, and what to use instead.


Part 4: Spin, Water Use and Noise
The remaining label data points – spin drying efficiency, water consumption, and noise ratings – explained.


Are Eco Labels Misleading?
Why energy labels do not tell the full story about running costs, reliability, or environmental impact.

Frequently Asked Questions