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 have been commenting on the “I Want A Hot And cold Fill Washing Machine” which is mostly men, their advice however has been very helpful, both these sites should unite as we are all unhappy with “cold only fill” and not enough water to give the results of hot and cold fill. The length of time dissatisfaction has been posted on this site makes we think that we are stuck with this problem. I am considering replacing my top range machine for a reconditioned hot and cold fill.
Hi barbara: I amended the spelling mistake for you. The two articles are both on the same site though. It’s just that they both ended up discussing the same issue. I closed comments on one of the articles several months back to try and get everyone to comment on the same article but re-opened it for comments last week.
gemma johnson:Thanks very much. I have good contacts to Which? and sent them a link to this article yes. They appear to have changed the way they rank rinsing now to make it a bit clearer as I pointed out the way they were doing it before was confusing and at times contradictory but they don’t seem to be interested in pushing the issue of poor rinsing as a consumer issue.
I must get the ISE10 review finished. Unfortunately they keep running out of stock of them so I put the review on hold as I didn’t want to promote something that was unavailable for several weeks.
The numbers unfortunately disappeared when I put a new skin on this Blog. On the old one every comment had a number. I want to get them back but it’s not straight forward to work out how and I haven’t had time to sort it.
Can anyone tell me if a Hotpoint WM51,52,53 or 54 range will rinse properly and use enough water say 1/3 or 1/4 up the door glass? The Hotpoint 95 series are becoming increasingly hard to find and mostly on Ebay. In my personal experience i wouldn’t buy second hand electrical appliances from a private seller as i did recently buy a machine only to find the tub leaks and the programmer has failed. Is my safest bet t buy from a reconditioned place second hand shop or somewhere like the British Heart Foundation? Guy’s Domestic Appliances is one idea though its over 70 miles from me so not a viable option.
If anyone can suggest any models please let me know. If i had the money would buy the Miele ‘Little Giant’.
Thanks
Had a WM52. It’s rinse was terrible, in fact had to use liquid just to stop clothes being covered in powder. The main bearing disintegrated after 14 months. Hotpoint failed to turn up to fix it but by then it had quietened down. It sounded like the bearings had disintegrated to nothing and it sort of rattled as it turned I decided to just ignore the strange noises until it finally died when I would replace it because it rinsed that badly it wasn’t worth keeping.
Ben I sent my new Miele back because it was so bad at rinsing, but what is this “little Giant ??? is it new, as I bought a cheap machine to get me buy, (its still in its wrap as the thought of all that stress fills me with gloom) until I find a good old one .
Hi Gemma,
The Miele ‘little giant’ is a commercial machine that has a ‘gravity drain’ (whatever that is). I don’t know much about it to be honest only that is supposedly better at rinsing and doesn’t take long to wash.
If i had a utility room and a bigger house then i would opt for an american top loader which would be brand new and come with a guarantee. They don’t have heaters so you would need a good supply of hot water. John Lewis did sell them but i can’t see them currently on their website.
In the mean time i am buying a brand new twin tub. Most of the models are made in the UK. I would rather have an automatic but the stress these damn machines have caused me i can’t be bothered with an automatic ever again. Perhaps worth a look.
The ISE is apparently good but beyond my budget.
Can i use automatic powder in a twin tub? I see no benefit of twin tub powder only a gimmick that they produce more suds. I DO NOT want suds as they a pain in the back side to get rid of.
I have been using liquid but won’t bother with it anymore as i see no benefit to using it if i get a machine that rinses properly.
How did you find taking your Miele back Gemma? The people at Bosch are thick as two planks and unhelpful and can’t understand my problems with modern washing machines nor can the retailers like Bennetts etc. I told them to read this site and to test their clothes by putting them in hot water to see how bad rinsing was on these modern pieces of junk.
I bet Bosch knows their machines don’t rinse but won’t admit it!
The best machine i have ever owned was a Hoover Electron and Hotpoint 9506. The latter needed a new drum spider and i could not find one. Was sad to see it go as it did rinse 99% of the detergent away. Shame on modern Hoover and Hotpoint!
Ben
Hi Ben
I got my Miele from John Lewis and after 4 weeks returned it because of stress I couldn’t take any more. I was getting ready to go to war with john lewis and found I didn’t need too as they just said ok and came and took it back in a week. I was stunned.
They have a new policy( not broadcasting it ) that if you buy a machine etc and for what ever reason it’s not suitable even after a few months they will take it back no questions asked and its on your receipt ( I ordered on line ).
So its worth doing it this way and I double checked this policy ,I still have not unpack the machine in the garage and am dreading it too .
Gemma
Hi All
Just plumbed in zanussi zwf 12070w1 washing machine ,cheap one till I can get my hands on an old one.
I have a question, i have too pour in 2 litres of water to activate the eco valve, if I don’t do this will I get more water in ?
As when I asked zanussi they said I had to or I will get greased all over the washing, my husband did his call lo l(first time ) and got annoyed as he cannot get his head around where this grease would come from and they had no guy we could speak too about the workings of the machine .
It beggars belief why on earth they have these call centres.
Hi Gemma,
I wish i had bought appliances from John Lewis now. Steer clear from Bennetts/Hughes, Comet and Currys. The last 3 are useless and one big joke. They don’t listen and don’t want to know.
Whilst modern washers don’t rinse well i have found a friend of mines Zanussi WJD 1667 W washer/dryer does rinse to a good standard. The water on cottons comes to the bottom of the door glass and 1/4 way on the synthetics cycle. This is using Surf powder at the moment and she uses Daz too. She is in a hard water area but even though she doses correctly will get a lot of foam even on a full load. I think modern detergents have a lot to answer for too as there is not enough anti-foaming agents in the current formulation. The anti foam ingrediets are way down the list whereas years ago they featured quite high if i remember rightly. I can remember in the 90’s detergents never foamed much at all which was brilliant as cleaning was better and this aided the rinsing. I wish the general public would realise foaming hinders cleaning and rinsing.
The old Daz and Ariel liquid did not foam much at all but it looks like there are only concentrates now which i am not sure is such a good thing.
Ben