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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@Nikki Jenkins comment #399.
You say you still rinse things by hand in hot water in the sink. I think you could save yourself that laborious task by re-rinsing in your Miele and just adding a few jugs of hot water to raise the water level slightly, so it’s touching the bottom of the door glass and repeat this for another 1 or more rinses during the re-rinsing cycle. I’m sure a lower level of water will not strain the bearings, especially on a Miele, which is well built compared to other makes washing machines – except ISE. Maybe you’re happy to rinse clothes by hand in hot water?
Oliver, about the “suds locking” problem. I remember mentioning that washing machines don’t flush the foam away properly anymore – see my comment #289. Not only do we have a pathetically small amount of water to rinse, we also have foam that never gets flushed out.
I’m concerned about the bearings wearing out much faster in my washing machine, so I should add hot water to just 1/3 up the door on the first re-rinse cycle then add another load of hot water 1/3 up the door on the next rinse. That would give me 2 rinses with 1/3 up the door = 2/3 of a drum of water in total! The washing should be very thoroughly rinsed :) – hopefully without straining the washing machine compared to using 1/2 a drum during one rinse??
Hi WMUser,
If the machine has sudslocked the space between the inner and outer drum will be full of thick foam. This will be VERY apparent when the machine is filling for the next rinse, there will be no water visible just a huge quantity of foam coming up from the sump area. This inturn can also reduce the water level as the foam goes up the pressure vessel alot faster than water, so the pressure switch thinks the water level is correct and the machine rinses with a massivley reduced water level. It can also activate the drain pump for extended periods as the foam locks the pressure switch to maximum level and it will not spin until the foam has broken down and then the machine thinks its empty and can progress with the cycle. Or if it does not break down quick enough the machine can abort the programme and flash some sort of error code leaving sodden soapy clothes.
However if the machine has spun the load correctly and drained all the water away the space between the drums will be clear as the water flying out of the laundry sprays over the whole outer drum whilst spinning, thus flushing out any foam down the sides of the tank to the sump hose and it all gets pumped away. If the machine has not sudslocked there will be no issue of soap and foam lurking between the drums to pollute the next rinse.
The strain on your machine is as broad as long, if you do 2 rinses 1/3 up the door there is extra weight for twice as long. But if you do 1 rinse at 1/2 up the door it is only there for half as long. How much of an effect will be seen on the machine I don’t know, only time will tell. If it is a recent model it may well have a sealled drum meaning no bearing changes, so the whole lot has to be replaced, this usually writes the machine off as being beyond economical repair.
All the best,
Oliver.
@Oliver (and others in the know)
Howdy from US.
I have a top-load Whirlpool; don’t know its age — came with the house.
I just rinsed a load of towels FIVE times. Still foaming. Unacceptable!
I am replacing this thing. But with what ? Need recommendations!
Hi Boris,
I was under the impression that top loaders rinsed properly. We used to have Hoptpoint top loaders over here in the 70’s and 80’s althougth they only did 2 rinses they completley immersed the load for each rinse and if memory serves me they only used to spin after the first rinse and after the second was the final spin. These Hotpoint machines rinsed anything properly.
However I am aware some modern top loaders (still seem to rinse twice) only do 1 deep fully immersed rinse, and the first rinse being a srpay rinse which really is not very effective at all. Were the 5 rinses you did with your Whirlpool spray rinses or deep rinses with a spin inbetween each rinse?
Comment 42 mentions a Maytag Centennial top loader which uses about 40 gallons per load and is supposed to be good at rinsing. However my knowledge on US machines is a little thin on the ground to say the least! So I have no idea if they still make this machine or indeed anything about it.
I don’t really know what else to recommend as we have very few top loaders over here anymore. However as far as I know no modern front loader will rinse properly. I know US front loaders are all energy efficient as well so my thinking is only the high water use top loaders will rinse properly. Some top loaders are energy efficient and do not rinse well, I do not know how common these machines are though.
All the best,
Oliver.
Hi Oliver.
I think my washing machine is under much less strain now. On the quickwash cycle, which I run after the main cycle (and its 3 rinses), the quickwash performs its main ‘wash’ for about 15 minutes, followed by its 2 rinses. With just 1/3 of warm water for 15 minutes compared to 1/2 a drum, the strain is obviously much less. Rinse 1 of 2 on quickwash has just 1/3 of warm water and it finishes quickly, so I have to pause the washing machine to add several jugs of hot water before I let it continue. I paused the machine again on the final rinse with conditioner and left it a few minutes – the water was not cloudy. :)
Having read Nikki Jenkins comments #377, I’m more wary about adding too much water in case the bearings can’t handle it. I’m sure 1/3 of a drum of warm water or just a few inches up the door glass won’t harm the bearings?
@Boris I think you would be best replacing it with an older model that uses LOTS of water. I don’t know about American top loaders. I do remember reading the early comments (such as comment #36) about newer models having to comply with the American “energy star” nonsense i.e. they have to use too little water. Towels are notoriously hard to rinse and will only get rinsed properly in warm or hot water and plenty of it.
Regarding bearings and higher water levels, in theory the level of water shouldn’t matter as the drum bearings are protected from water by the drum bearing seal. Water is thrown around this seal during the wash and especially on spin and it should be totally water tight. Having said that if a seal is wearing it’s possible higher water levels could cause more water to ingress past but only if the seal is already allowing water past through to the bearings.
Oliver: Are you in a soft water area, or do you use any water softening agents? The amount of excessive foam you report is very unusual indeed. Are other people in your area similarly affected?
Hi Andy,
We have soft water according to Yorkshire water ( We are only 45 minutes away from you, were over in Brighouse), however we do get limescale in the kettle and around the shower heads, but no water supply is 100% free from rubbish, we are the end of the line too so all the debris in the pipe head our way. We do not use any water softening agents at all, only a normal dose of washing powder for soft water, 95ml of Persil Automatic.
The problems are all down to 2 things:
1- The machines in question did not rinse with enough water to dilute the detergent properly so it would spin away. Only the Siltal and Hotpoint are affected. The Bosch cannot sudslock due to programming and high rinse water levels.
2- Any detergent made by Proctor and Gamble are far too soapy even with half the recommended dose for our area. Ariel makes the Siltal pour foam out of the despenser drawer when interim spinning.
We managed to solve the big mystery by using Unilevers detergents Surf is rubbish but Persil can shift anything. Also adjusting the pressure switch on the Siltal so it washes and rinses with more water mean’t it now dilutes the detergent properly and just rinses and spins as it should.
All the best,
Oliver.
Thank you the info on bearings Washerhelp. I won’t be taking any chances and I feel it’s safer to use just 1/3 warm water then another rinse with 1/3 warm water. It seems to be rinsing fine and the porthole door glass feels slightly warm at the bottom. Remember, I’m adding very hot water, as it’s mixing with cold water already in the bottom of the drum.
I understand Nikki Jenkins being worried about the bearings, but I have found this method is working fine and the bearings won’t be under water. I don’t have to rinse my clothes in a sink or bath with hot water. The only catch is the water being poured into the washing machine when re-rinsing must be very hot i.e. around 80C. If it’s any cooler, it won’t have much effect as it has to mix with the cold water already there. Since cotton items and towels are so much harder to rinse, warm water rinsing is ideal and it should not damage cotton or linen and polyester should be ok too. I’ve not had anything damaged by rinsing in warm water, but I’ve never tried this on something fragile like silk!!
I’m currently working on a new washing machine review and reading the instruction book of this John Lewis (JLWD1609) washer dryer the following words related to rinsing struck me as being of interest to people following this topic –
Hi Andy,
Its just like WMUsers Zanussi-Electrolux. It may add 2 rinses, however it will only spin slowly after rinse 3 and 4, so the rinsng is no better than the normal rinse cycle with the normal intermediate spin cycles.
All the best,
Oliver.