My attention was drawn to rinsing efficiency after noticing that out of dozens of washing machines reviewed by Which? most of them had a poor rating for rinsing. Even those singled out as Best Buys were “poor” at rinsing. Believe it or not, at least one Best Buy was “very poor”. I found that pretty shocking.
From studying the figures it is clear that if “good”, or “very good” rinsing was one of the prerequisites for a Best Buy there would be no Best Buy washing machines or washer dryers at all – not a single one. It appears that Which? have decided to allow the poor rinsing results to be a caveat instead of a best buy killer. Please note however that several Which? best buys are “satisfactory” at rinsing which is something at least.
Out of 125 washing machines and washer dryers tested, a remarkable 75 of them (60%) were rated either “poor” or “very poor” at rinsing with only 3 getting the rating we should expect for all washing machines which is “good”.
The rest were a mere “satisfactory”. To summarise, just less than 3 % of the 125 washers & dryers are “good” at rinsing according to Which?
Since writing this article I’ve discovered Which? no longer give the majority of washing machines 1 or 2 star ratings for rinsing ability, and the majority appear to get 3 or 4 stars. Which? tell me they’ve readjusted their rinse marks to more accurately reflect the degrees of abilities between even poor rinsing machines. However, they are still critical of many of their rinsing abilities in the comments and the pros and cons.
What does this mean?
Well for a start it doesn’t mean that we can settle for one of the three washing machines that are “good” at rinsing because they unfortunately let themselves down in other areas such as with “noisy spin, and poor brand reliability”. However, if you really need a washing machine that rinses better than any other – maybe because of allergies – then at least Which? have identified three candidates out of the 125 they’ve tested so far.
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Why aren’t they rinsing properly and does it really matter?
Surely all washing machines should rinse well? It’s surely quite simple, you just use enough water to rinse them properly. It’s astounding that we have reached the situation where the majority of washing machines and washer dryers on sale in the UK are apparently poor at rinsing.
This has probably come about because people have been focussing on other aspects, which has left rinsing as a low priority. Two explanations spring to mind. Firstly, the focus on using less and less water is clearly impacting on our washing machine’s ability to rinse effectively. Whereas modern detergents can facilitate efficient and effective washing results at lower temperatures and with less water, no such product is currently allowing effective rinsing with much less water.
Good rinsing needs plenty of water which is in direct opposition to the current environmental concerns and clamour to be the washing machine using the least amount of water.
Eco LabelsThe second explanation I can think of is that the eco-labelling system which awards ratings for energy efficiency, spin efficiency and wash efficiency do not appear to take into account rinse efficiency.
As such, manufacturers aren’t being judged on how well their washing machines rinse, only on how well they wash and how well they extract water on spin. I’m speculating at this stage, but I can’t see how so many washing machines could be awarded an “A” wash efficiency rating if the tests took into account how well the clothes were rinsed. Presumably, as long as all stains are removed and laundry looks “clean” no one bothers about how much soap detergent residue is left.
It might be a good idea to create a fourth category, “rinse efficiency” on the eco labels, or at least include the rinse efficiency as part of the wash efficiency test.
Ultimately if customers don’t notice an issue then it could be argued that it doesn’t really matter.
Maybe it doesn’t for most people, but it surely does to anyone sensitive to wash detergents and with allergies and a lot of people are. There were 581 comments added on this topic from such people before I had to close comments to prevent it being endless.
The current situation is that to anyone keen to buy a washing machine with good rinsing I have no washing machine to recommend because none of the companies producing the best, and the most reliable washing machines currently supply one that rinses above average according to Which? although this could easily change and you would need to check out the latest to be sure.
Are Which? being too critical? Are Which? applying too stringent a rinse test? I must admit I’ve not had many complaints from people saying their washing machine isn’t rinsing properly and my own Miele washing machine, which although a Which? Best Buy, didn’t receive a “good” rating for rinsing yet it appears to rinse perfectly well as far as we can see.
In fact I remarked to my wife that my clothes don’t smell of detergent like they used to in the old washing machine and deduced that it rinsed much better. However, neither of us have any reactions to washing machine detergent. The thing about Which? is that they are totally independent.
They work only for their subscribers interests and are actually a registered charity. They don’t make any money directly by recommending any product (even though they could) because they want to be seen as 100% unbiased. They are highly respected and I expect they test products fairly. However, my understanding is that the do charge for companies to display their “Best Buy” logo!
I suspect Which? are right and that modern washing machines don’t generally rinse very well because of the reasons I speculate about above. Whether it matters or whether it will change depends on whether enough of the public are bothered, or even notice. The 581 comments added to this article below show that many people do find this a big issue.
Which? research
NOTE: Which? do rate some washing machines as satisfactory for rinsing and even a couple are rated as good, although unfortunately the few rated good (so far) are not so good on reliability.
Which? are constantly reviewing washing machines so if rinsing is particularly important to you it makes sense to become a member and see all the buying advice. I can’t print their advice for copyright reasons.
Here’s how they describe their reviews –
We are of course well known for our traditional product testing. And when we test something like the proverbial washing machine, we will ask the laboratory not only to measure how clean the clothes get, but how much water and energy is used? How easy is it to work out the programmes? What is the machine like on specialist cycles? How long does it take? All these things feed into our best buy criteria.
We will devise the testing schedule by looking at things from the ordinary user’s point of view: and if standard industry methods are not good enough we will devise our own methods ”
Causes of poor rinsing
There are some common causes of poor rinsing even in washing machines that do rinse well that it might be useful to point out. Anyone experiencing poor rinsing problems where washing comes out with detergent residues or white powder streaks should read this – White streaks or residual washing powder after washing
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I chose the new name WMUser as the name WhatMatters sounds a bit harsh, but I was really annoyed at the time I created that name. It is really annoying that today’ washing machines don’t rinse properly and it’s yet another annoying part of everyday life (I won’t make a long list of everyday annoyances, it would be miles long lol).
I agree with what you say Washerhelp: I can’t understand why such a washing machine is a Best Buy. I think all Which? members should complain to Which? and insist that only washing machines with Good rinsing or better should be awarded a Best Buy. That could force the washing machine manufacturers to improve rinsing, as they strive to achieve the Best Buy award.
I used to praise Which? for their product testing, but now I’m not so happy with Which? I’ve noticed they are cutting corners on testing products and seem to be handing out “Best Buy” awards like sweets! For example, they test dishwashers on the “normal” programme for cleaning, drying etc., but (according to their website) Which? no longer tests the “economy” programme on dishwashers. However, Which? are quick to point the finger at a dishwasher model that has “poor energy efficiency”! I thought we were all being told to use less electricity, water and resources, hence use the “economy” programme more often?
To be fair on Which? you are less likely to waste your money on something, provided you read their review very carefully and also read the opinions of customers who’ve bought the product you’re interested in.
Yes I agree with you Oliver, Dysons are the worst cleaners you can buy – and the same goes for all bagless vacuums. Like poor rinsing, if you’re an allergy sufferer, you need a vacuum that does the job well. Why buy a bagless vacuum, then empty the dust container into a rubbish bin or carrier bag and release a cloud of dust everywhere? Most of the Which? Best Buys are bagged models.
Back to the rinsing topic, any method to improve rinsing on today’s machines involves faffing around and observing – you can’t just switch on the machine, walk away and come back later to perfectly rinsed laundry! Like comment #110, a slightly quicker way could be to switch off the machine after the main wash programme has pumped out the soapy water, select another programme that you know uses lots of water and run it without detergent, just use the fabric conditioner compartment. If the final spin is slower on this second programme and you need a faster spin e.g. for tumble drying, you will need to switch off and select the faster spin.
I know the previous paragraph sounds like a lot of fuss, but you soon get used to manually selecting extra cycles and I don’t think about it, I just follow this method and let the washing machine do the hard work. :)
If this topic was featured on prime time television, I wonder if a TV documentary, with interviews from allergy sufferers affected by washing machines, would cause a massive public response?
I feel sorry for people who have spent a fortune on a brand new washing machine and soon discover they are suffering allergy hell from clothing that is far from “rinsed”!!
I’m aware that many people just blame the detergent type/brand only, but the terrible truth is down to their washing machine not rinsing well, even if the “extra rinse” option is always enabled.
My eczema has cleared up completely since re-rinsing everything on a water-guzzling cycle (without detergent). It takes over an hour longer, but I don’t care. When my washing machine eventually dies, I will definitely buy an old second-hand “water-guzzling” replacement.
Hi WMUser,
That is a really good idea! Then the manufacturers will be aware of how big the problem is and how widespread skin problems from washing machines are then.
Its true people think that having an extra rinse option is going to solve the problem, but it won’t as you say. You just assume that any washing machine will rinse properly without any hassle of re running rinses and other cycles etc. Like they used to in times of old. Nobody will stop to think about rinse efficiency when they buy a washing machine, lets face it I didn’t.
The second hand machine is a top idea, it worked for me, there is no new machine that you can buy today that will even rinse half properly, which is absolutley DISGUSTING. Thank you very much environMENTAL do gooders, look what you have managed to achieve.
All the best, glad you have some relief from the eczema,
Oliver.
It’s around 2 years since I posted my thread about how disappointed I was and still am with the poor rinsing performance of ALL modern-day front loading washing machines. Someone made the comment about white vinegar being very good at helping to remove detergent left in clothing, particularly towels. I can confirm that it is absolutely brilliant. However, I have failed to find anywhere who sell it in bulk. You can buy brown malt vinegar in bulk from places like Daily Bread in Northampton, but not white vinegar. Does anyone know of anywhere? I found one website, but the delivery charges were prohibitive.
Hi Nikki Jenkins, I’m glad you find the white vinegar is absolutely brilliant. :)
I’m surprised white vinegar is not sold in bulk like brown vinegar. Maybe discount retailers like Aldi or Lidl sell it in larger containers? I’m sure it’s available somewhere because it’s so widely advocated, for example, I know they used lots of white vinegar on episodes of “How Clean is Your House”.
Further to the last paragraph on my comment #143, I follow my water-guzzling method every time and find it works the best. If anyone can copy a similar method on their poor-rinsing washing machine, in 3 easy steps…
1) Wash items in the usual manner (including adding the softener or white vinegar), no “extra rinse” option necessary.
2) After the main wash completes (before it starts ‘rinsing’), the machine is likely to perform a short spin. When this spin has finished, switch off and then select a water-guzzling cycle to run without detergent.
3) If the spin speed is too low at the end of 2), switch off and select a higher spin speed.
DON’T WORRY – you soon get used to following the 3-step method every time you use the washing machine. I imagine using white vinegar with that 3-step method would result in VERY good rinsing??!! If you don’t know which cycle on your washing machine is the most water-guzzling, if you can find its literature, it may tell you which cycle uses the most litres of water, that’s how I discovered which one to use for the rinses.
If I press the “extra rinse” on my washing machine, it stupidly doesn’t perform a spin after the main wash cycle, but if I don’t press “extra rinse” then it does that spin. Daft but true! Spinning the soapy water out does help enormously, but the manufacturers don’t seem to know how to rinse clothes, just how to market these “energy efficient” and “water saving” washing machines that are no good any more!
I have tried the “water guzzling” methods, I have tried absolutely everything and have formed the opinion that you cannot rinse properly in cold water. You need hot water to dissolve the detergent, surfactant, whatever you want to call it. I have tried washing the clothes through a complete cycle, just not adding any soap, but that is still not as effective as just simply having a washing machine that rinses with hot water. The rinse action is a very special action in any washing machine, it is designed to rinse not wash, but is not effective unless you use hot water. You can (as you have described) “fool” the machine by a judicious twiddling of knobs at the right time, such that the machine is rinsing with hot water … this will work actually … but we are on Economy 7, and so the washing machine has to run during the night when electricity is cheaper. I am not prepared to wake up in the middle of the night to twiddle a few knobs !!
So … I am left with the white vinegar option, which is a brilliant one if I were a millionaire! I have searched everywhere for bulk white vinegar – Aldi, Lidl, the internet – and you can only get malt (brown) vinegar in bulk, except on the internet, and then the delivery charges are prohibitive.
The most water guzzling cycle on my machine is the Wool setting by the way.
Thanks for your helpful suggestions. It is a shame that we are on Economy 7, although I suppose with the problem items like towels I could just wash these during the day and knob twiddle … hang the expense!
Reading your comment Nikki, I know that re-running “water-guzzling” cycles without detergent is not practical for everyone, however the first ‘wash’ on the second cycle you run will act as a warm rinse, if you can turn up the temperature high enough – that’s safe for the clothes, I hope that works.
Comment #47 from Oliver, who bought an older washing machine that uses lots of water, that seems to be the only permanent solution and what I’m considering doing when my washing machine dies one day.
For readers who run their washing machines on Economy 7, maybe running the main wash during Economy 7 hours and leaving the washing machine on rinse-hold could help, especially if washing hotter than 40 degrees. Then during the day, re-run a water-guzzling cycle without detergent (but not hotter than 30 or 40 degrees if you’re trying to save money).
Hope that helps. :)
PS I wonder if these “A” ratings only apply to the water-SAVING cycles, since most washing machines have a water-guzzling cycle e.g. “wool”, “duvet” etc.?
Since I commented on this blog in October, I now have a Hotpoint Aqualtis AQ9F 49 U (9 Kg capacity) and the good news is that the ‘Bed & Bath’ cycle seems to work a treat – when using either 1 Persil capsule or 1 Tesco Colours tab! (Haven’t tried it with 2 or 3 capsules or tabs.) No soap left in the washed & rinsed laundry AND no sneezing when using the clothes or bedding when it’s dry. Also, the ‘Shirts’ cycle is good – and again no soap left in the clothes after they are washed & rinsed. SO … I’m going to use one of these cyles for most things. I’m sure both cycles are water guzzling, but that’s fine by me if the cycles rinse the clothes thoroughly!
Well done to Hotpoint for getting it right with at least 2 of their cycle options on this washing machine!
WELL DONE! I think we’ve managed to achieve something – better rinsing by NOT using the default settings alone (or just adding lots of extra rinsing water) and using clear vinegar in the last rinse if necessary – for towels I use it.
I think if enough people complained to BBC Watchdog during its next series, if enough people wrote letters of complaint to all washing machine manufacturers and so on, this rinsing problem could be permanently resolved. If just one manufacturer markets their washing machine as being capable of “proper rinsing” compared its competitors, the other manufacturers will follow suit.