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.
Forbes rent appliances and specialise in renting Bosch appliances so they know them inside out. They also rent other brands and many other products – more details at Forbes
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
Repairs
Fixed-price repairs, Pay monthly options, Repair & protect your whole appliance..
Save Money Now
Subscribe to Which? today and start saving money now. Subscription offers often available.
Spares
Spares4Appliances is a spares company run by repair engineers who understand all about spare parts for appliances.
Cindy: Top loaders use a lot more water than front loaders and are generally not as good in other ways too but they do rinse better because of all the water they use. This problem shows how so often the answer to one problem only creates others.
Which is best, a top loader or a front loader washing machine?
Thank goodness I found this website before I called an engineer. My Bosch washing machine (2 years old) is dreadful at rinsing on delicate wash programmes. On a wool wash, everything comes out smeared with liquid detergent – and stains untouched. I recently bought detergent tablets because they were on offer – not only was there always residue on the clothes, but the tablets were sometimes only partly dissolved. It seems that there is not enough water in the whole wash cycle. I have the option to add extra water and / or an extra rinse to other programmes, but not delicates, so they get washed twice. When I first got the machine, I was pleased with how short the programme cycles were, but now I have to add all the extra functions, I am back up to 2 hours plus for a wash. I lived in the US for a few years – 25 minutes in an old laundrette top-loader and my washing was spotless.
Our Bosch machine rinses very poorly even on super-rinse. If I put a newly washed facecloth into a bowl of water the water goes very cloudy as the detergent comes out, Obviously the towels are the same but of course they don’t get immersed in the same way.
Since e-mailling you last I have replaced my dreadful Hotpoint Aquarius with a Bosch WFF2000 reconditioned washing machine. Not only does it rinse properly, it does 4 RINSES with water one third up the door for each, but is quieter than my Hotpoint ever was. It has short programmes each no more than an hour and fifteen minutes, my clothes are far cleaner even though they used to be washed for way over two hours.
It spins alot slower than the Hotpoint and my clothes are much much drier.
It would seem if you want a washing machine to wash, rinse and spin properly you need a reconditioned machine about 12-15 years old or so! And it was a snip at £145.00 with a 12 month warranty.
My clothing is not hard with detergent any more and my eczema and dermatitis has started to go away. My towels are actually soft and not like sandpaper any more!
If you have skin problems irritated by washing detergents old machines are the way to go, they actually rinse in water!!!
Oliver Shaw.
There is strong evidence that suggests most modern washing machines have gone so far up the road of being “environmentally friendly” that they don’t use enough water to rinse thoroughly any more.
If washing machine manufacturer’s main concern is to get good ratings for low water usage and this results in poor rinsing what’s wrong with making washing machines that do use the current low amounts by default on all washes – but have the ability to optionally use more water on rinses – up to twice as much if necessary. That way washers can still be promoted with badges and awards for low water usage but the user can choose to override the defaults for better rinsing if that’s more important.
Could not agree more!!!
Oliver Shaw
I think I have the ultimate solution!
If your washing machine is not rinsing properly, even if you press the “extra rinse” button, you may want to try this:
Buy a length of hose sufficient to reach from the cold tap of your kitchen sink into the soap drawer of the washing machine. Also buy the right adaptor for the tap or mixer tap.
After the first rinse with a spin (on some delicate programmes, it may not spin between rinses) when the washing machine starts filling for the next rinse, use the hose to fill the washing machine drum up to 1/3 of the height on the door glass. Using more water than 1/3 is wasteful – and if you are on a water meter – using more every time would be expensive!
Now let the washing machine continue as normal. I don’t advise doing this on the final rinse if you are using fabric conditioner as you will dilute it too much.
If you’re still experiencing skin rashes, stop using fabric conditioner for about a month to rule that out.
I hope this helps. I’m sure it’s worth a try if detergent residue is causing havoc with your skin allergies?!
Frustrated with Technology:
You call this the ultimate solution, I wouldn’t want to hang around waiting to fill my washing machine on the rinses with a hose pipe. It is a method but washers should already put enough water in without human intervention.
Plus my washing machine is in a third storey bedroom with no sink in sight!! My parents machine in the kitchen is filled with a kettle as it too cannot put enough water in for the wash or rinses! I cannot use their machine as it leaves so much detergent in the washing. My previous Hotpoint was better but not by a lot, then the computer failed after only two and a half years, just what you want when you spend £500 on a washer.
I have already replaced my Hotpoint with a reconditioned machine (Bosch WFF2000) that puts water one third up the door in the rinses and does it four times. All I have to do is press-Higher water level or it will do three with water a quarter up the door.
You say water half way up the door is a waste, I disagree as I had no trouble with my skin 15 years ago when we had the Servis Quartz 1000, three rinses half way up the door.
We are on the water meter but I would rather pay money for the water than be itching and scratching myself raw!
The Bosch only cost £145 with a 12 month warranty, bought in Halifax, West Yorkshire from a shop that specialises in reconditioned Hotpoints and Bosch!
Hope this helps with the rinse issues.
All the best, Oliver.
I agree that few people would put up with all the hassle that Frustrated with Technology does but I’m sure its felt to be a needs-must situation. The best solution to a bad situation. To be fair most people don’t seem to have a problem with the standard of rinsing.
As for having water half way up the glass being a waste – it’s only a waste if laundry can be rinsed just as well with less water. If cutting down on the amount of water to address one issue results in poorer rinsing which causes problems for some customers then that’s a pointless “fix”.
I suggested 1/3 height as families on water meters would end up paying a fortune, as the washing machine is used more often. Today’s living is too expensive as it is. I find one rinse 1/3 height works for me (along with the other rinses using less water): the clothes no longer feel rough and don’t smell of detergent like they used to before I tried this method.
If you find one rinse 1/3 height is not enough, maybe try 1/2 the height and maybe repeat again on the next rinses. I know it’s inconvenient having to fill your machine with extra water, but if it stops your skin allergies then it’s worth the aggro. Have a towel ready to wipe any spillages on the floor.
Be aware that today’s washing machines are electronically controlled and if you add too much water the electronics may think the machine has overfilled and will start pumping out the water immediately.
If you are not near a tap, maybe fill a watering can from elsewhere, without the round sprinkling head attached.
If you add soap powder to the drawer, pour the water into the pre-wash compartment so you don’t end up flushing down bits of powder that get left behind.
The only other suggestions I have are: 1. If you are buying another washing machine, subscribe to Which? and look for a washing machine or washer-dryer with a good score for rinsing. 2. Why don’t we all complain to both the washing machine and detergent manufacturer’s about this problem? The more people who complain, the better.