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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@Judy
Have you tried rinsing items in WARM or HOT water? Doing so will dissolve and remove a lot more detergent compared to cold water. The clothes will be more creased and it’s not a good idea to rinse delicate items in a final warm rinse, but what can be ironed will be easier to do with a powerful steam iron. :) Another idea: after the first cycle of washing, rinsing and final spin, use the most “water guzzling” cycle, which may be listed in the instruction book? If not, try ones like “wool” or “duvet”, depending on what programmes your washing machine has. Be sure to pour in jugfuls of hot water if there are no delicate items being washed like silk. You will need to manually spin the non-delicate items faster by selecting the spin-only programme, as those programmes will have a slower and shorter final spin.
I’ve tried the “home made” mixture a few times now, which I mentioned earlier on. To see if it rinsed off easier, I just used the “Extra Rinse” option (which normally would not help much), but seeing the LCD display showing 20 minutes remaining, with just the last rinse taking place before the final spin, the water looked clear! I pressed the “start/pause” button, poured in about 4 jugfuls of warm water and resumed the machine by pressing the “start/pause” button again. I watched with amazement for a few minutes as the water was still clear.
Modern detergents are full of nasty chemicals and other ingredients which are harmful to skin. Due to competition, the detergent manufacturers seem to be making their detergents stronger and adding more perfumes which also cause skin reactions. Also I notice that today’s detergents do not rinse off easily compared to the “home made” mixture which seems to rinse off very easily and it’s free from all the nasty stuff in all other laundry detergents. The cleaning performance is great and the clothes also feel very soft when they’ve dried. Although there’s still detergents I have to use up, I will NEVER buy laundry detergent again after successfully making it myself and it’s so quick and easy to make. It’s too early to tell if my skin will react to these mild substances in my mixture, but I’m certain it would have reacted by now. I’ll give it a few months and see.
Before assuming it takes a long time to make this mixture – it doesn’t: it’s only a matter of adding the ingredients into a tall container, putting the lid on and shaking it thoroughly. The time you save not having to re-rinse the clothes gives you a lot more free time to do other things. I’m only adding a few jugfuls of warm water to the final rinse to be on the safe side and the clothes come out much dryer after the final spin if the last rinsing water is warm or hot.
Hope that helps.
hi Judy
I read your comment with great interest as my husband like you has to use all the creams too because of his skin condition and the only thing that helps him is the light treatment which they cant do all the time because of the cancer risk.
I developed dermatitis so rinsing is so bloody important and as you say the water that it takes in is so minimal you can only wonder at the brains behind these machines.
I weigh my washing and dose according to that , I use vinegar now for rinsing, am now going to make my own powder just to see how good it is ,I have nothing to lose as I have to stand and add extra water now and as my machine will be next to the sink am going to set up a hose too to add extra water that way .
I too have spent 4 hours with the machine putting it on for extra rinse and getting so stressed out I had to use my angina spray ,which I haven’t used in 2 yrs. I do find that the Miele powder is the best out of a bad lot.
I had the water board check my water and all is clear and had a good chat with the Scientist who also had a look at this site and was surprise at how long it went on for .
I have spoken to zanussi – Miele – contacted watchdog , cancel my subscription to Which because I really don’t think they are interested enough to help with this issue ,I also can’t for the life of me see how you can give a best buy when you know its rinsing is rubbish .
I would also like to be given the choice of a washing machine that will give us a decent water level for health needs .
If this site is any thing to go buy we are not saving money using less water we are using more and I also
Think the soap companies who produces the these powders need looking at too .
when I get my day off I am going to contact a lady in the daily mail who wrote “can you trust your dishwasher” she might be interested in this site and our problem .
As I for one am not giving up ,I also have to make my mind up about buying the ISE!) Washing machine as the Zanussi gets picked up today ,so now am on my third machine and wondering if its better to go back to hand washing my clothes and getting a little spinner .
Sorry for my grammar but have to rush but couldn’t go without a response to Judy’s .
Gemma
@ WMUser sadly the stupid manufactuerers have cut down on water levels for the Wool Cycles as well, well they have in Bosch and in my Bosch Classix the water level does not even cover the woollens in my machine. How daft is that? Basically i don’t wash woollens any more in the machine because of the poor water level. Even my Hotpoint WMA30 used loads of water on the wool cycle at least half way up the door. These modern machines make me so angry and will be glad when mine packs up. Have no idea what i would use though as everything modern today is a load of rubbish.
Ben
Hi . Judy, I add (as above ) 3 jugs of water to the main wash and 3 more to the final rinse of 2 extra rinses, this helps a little but I am so glad I am not on a water meter as i am using more water than ever. I feel all of the problems people are experiencing are all from lack of water, but then again are you and I having “less” water consumption than is normal ? Manufactures should not be allowed to put people health in danger for ” what purpose “
WMUSER
Thanks for your comments they were a big help to me and reassured me on the home made detergent .
Can you tell me what recipe you used for your home made laundry detergent ,I have been on “you tube” were they grate a bar of soap and mix it with borax and soda crystals, another adds baking soda, and the DP site here uses flakes and how much did you use as they say 1 table spoon is enough .
Gemma
Hello everyone,
thank you all for your replies to my last posting. I have just checked my in-box and Hotpoint has not replied to my email yet! However, all automatic washing machines are now going down the low water consumption road, which as we know, is useless for people with skin disorders. It seems their aim to use even less water, almost dry cleaning with the use of washing beads, that is the latest big brothers dictate, regardless of our health needs. They have a damn cheek!
So I have decided to buy a cheap (£89) little twin-tub (ironically) by Good Ideas on Ebay. It only has a 3.5kgs capacity, nor does it have a heater, but it does mean I can control the the water level in both the wash and rinse, which of course is the root problem with all other new machines. Plus, I will have a go at making my own washing powder, that sounds a great idea, thanks.
I guess the only thing is to pre-soak the washing in a sink with hot water, washing powder (or soap flakes) and soda crystals for about 20 minuets. Then rinse them in a twin tub, once that is done put them in a wash in the twin-tub (30 minuets), followed by the desired amount of rinses. That should do the job! So you are looking at it taking up just over one hour of your day, per wash. It think that would be just as labour intensive, than adding more water to automatics and using no end of washing programs. Least this way we can know what is going in our wash and can achieve better results.
One final thing, it would help if we stopped voting for all the political parties who support the EU and their low everything derivatives, of course, all policed by very strange happy-clappy folk (giggle).
Hope that is helpful?
Kind regards, from,
Judy
@Gemma and @Judy
I’ve not had any skin reactions so far from the “home made” mixture. Below is the video link which shows you how quick and easy it is to make, but substitute the box of soap flakes for LIQUID soap flakes, because the liquid soap flakes will not foam, whereas the ordinary soap flakes will generate too much foam! I have 2 plastic cereal containers with this mixture, one is labelled “whites” and has the oxygen bleach and the other is labelled “colours” and does not have the oxygen bleach, to avoid fading dark colours like black.
Use about half a mugful for a full load of roughly 6 – 7KG, more if the load is larger or dirtier. I pour this stuff on top of the clothes, spreading it from the back to the front. I don’t pour it into the soap drawer as it will get very mucky. Don’t be surprised if you see little or no foam – lack of foam is a good thing when it comes to rinsing!
This mixture will also soften hard water. It works best at 40C and above, but if you used liquid soap flakes you can still wash cooler than 40C for delicates which need a lower temperature, but use the mixture WITHOUT the oxygen bleach for delicates. If others in the household will use the washing machine, you may want to label the “whites” mixture with extra wording like “not for wool or silk” to avoid accidents.
I will look into buying this stuff in bulk online to save money in the long run, especially the soda crystals and borax substitute – as you will use more of these than the liquid soap flakes and oxygen bleach.
Before I forget… I suggest cleaning the washing machine inside to remove old detergent residue. First clean the soap drawer and its inner surrounding, clean the filter (if your machine has one) and re-fit the filter tight, then run the washing machine EMPTY on a 90C or 95C programme, without pre-wash, using about 1/3 of a mugful of the mixture with oxygen bleach.
Hope that helps.
Hi Everyone,
There is a British twin tub manufacturer and wondered if anyone had bought one of the new modern twin tubs? The Polar models are all made in the UK however the body work is plastic but they come with 5 year parts. Do you think they would be a good option and last long? Oppinions greatly appreciated.
Ben
Hi There
Thanks WMuser for that recipe, Have spent days researching home made washing powder and have all the ingredients now surf the net and found sunlight soap which I have already grated ,got a great deal on cheap processor from amazon kenwood 23.00 postage free , same kenwood in john lewis 34.99.
this recipe I found on an Aussie site you can of course make smaller batch to see if it words and doesn’t suds up ,she makes a point of this if you put in Rhonda”s CONCENTRATED LAUNDRY POWDER the site should come up. I am also going to add half cup of Napisan for the whites.
CONCENTRATED LAUNDRY POWDER
4 cups grated laundry soap or soap flakes (Lux)
2 cups borax
2 cups washing soda
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and store in a plastic container with a lid. Use 2 tablespoons per wash. This powder will not make suds and this is perfectly okay.
This homemade lard laundry detergent is great for those who have sensitive skin or have had problems using commerical laundry detergent.
Recipe:
1 bar of 100% Lard Soap (approx 4 to 5 ounces)
1/2 cup of baking soda
1 cup of washing soda
1 cup of borax
Using a smooth edge knife, cut the soap bar into small pieces. Be careful cutting the soap because it is very hard and the knife can slip. You don’t want to get cut! Then add the small pieces of soap along with 1/2 cup of baking soda to your food processor or blender. Using the “pulse” button, grind up the soap/baking soda mixture. Then remove the mixture from the food processor/blender and into a bowl and add 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of washing soda. Stir the ingredients well until blended under a vent (to remove the dust from the air). You do not want to breathe in the dust as it can be irritating. Then place your completed mixture of homemade laundry detergent into an air-tight container for storage.
Use: 1 tablespoon for regular loads of laundry or 2 tablespoons for heavily soiled or large loads of laundry
This is a low sudsing detergent so you should be able to use it in your HE washing machines with no problems.
@WMUser
Thank you for your web-link re home-made washing powder. As for buying the ingredients bulk it may work out cheaper, so you could Google for Janitorial Supplies to see if any of them stock all the ingredients? Remember to check the postal fees before you buy.
As for cleaning my automatic: I always use a little diluted white vinegar in a spray and a toothbrush (NOT the same one as I use on teeth, grin) to clean all round the washing powder drawer. Plus I run a 90c program with just half a mug of white vinegar, then leave the drawer and door open to air the machine.
Basically, mildew thrives in any damp and warm environment, so the more you wash at low temperatures the more mildew will junk up the machine, the damp spoils then rub off on to the clean laundry. Damp spoils in laundry will effect people suffering from Asthma. So the combination of low water consumption machines, with low temperature washes and biological laundry powder will create an absolute haven for mildew. BBC watchdog had no end of bad reports about the automatic Indesit Moon, being a smelly machine due to constant mildew. It turned out that machine did not have any high temperature wash programs, not even 60 C, hence all customers were complaining of mildew. Even more troubling, is the fact all manufactures science and research departments are aware of what causes mildew, and that it is detrimental to human health. So why are they pushing machines and methods that produce it?
Who would have thought that trying to do a simple wash, could involve so much science? Lol It makes you wonder how our ancestors managed, without all the modern science and technology..perhaps a lot better.
kind regards
Judy