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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Frustrated with Technology:
Your comments are quite right, that adding water to your washing machine on the rinse cycle will help. This is clear evedence that they do not use enough water.
When I had my Hotpoint Aquarius I contacted them about my machines inabillity to rinse. The stupid woman in the call centre said she would check to see if all Hotpoints machines were like this, she said they were, I mean do you really need to be a weatherman to know when it is p155ing it down!!!
So I asked what Hotpoint were going to do about it, such as compensation towards me having to buy a new washing machine, short answer…..NO! Instead a very understated apology, which she bregrudginly had to give.
They did not care their useless washing machine had cause me no end of dermatitis and eczema, the stupid woman made me feel like an oddity and said Hotpoint machines were good at rinsing, I would like to know what sort of washer she has, I bet she hasn’t got a Hotpoint!!!
I even suggested they relaunched a machine that they used to make that use high water levels the Aquarius Diamond springs to mind (they will still have the blue prints, they won’t destroy those), they said it was a bad idea as this machine was bad for the environment as it was a “water guzzler”, why do we need machines that use little water we hardly have droughts as it rains most of the year in the UK. This environmental tosh is a selling point, playing on peoples caring side!
Going back 20 years who had heard of washing detergents aggrevating their skin, no body thats who! Because machines back the used alot of water, in the case of the Servis we had back then about 130 litres per cycle. The other week on the television doctor Hillary Jones was saying about more and more cases of detergent induced dermatitis due to it being left in our clothes. These modern washing machines are breeding a skin complaint, how long will it be before manufacturers see it is their fault and bring out some machines that rinse properly?
Have you ever noticed that every time you buy a new washing machine it does a rinse less e.g. Tricity Bendix 4 rinses, Siltal 3 rinses, Hotpoint 2 rinses. just an example of some of the machines we have had over the years. How long before 1 rinse? So it is not just low water levels but less rinse cycles also. Plus you don’t see “Super rinse” and “Higher water level” options on machines any more.
My reconditioned Bosch WFF2000 (4 rinses and higher water level option) has cleared up my dermatitis and eczema, it shows machines from 12 years ago do rinse properly. This machine uses about 100 litres per cycle. My Mums Siltal washing machine uses 49 litres per cycle, you cannot even see the water in her machine, not even on rinse, I am not slating this machine 10-15 loads a week, 8 years old and still giong strong!!
Hope this helps you,
All the best
Oliver.
Use Ecover liquid, only a small amount. If that’s no good then I suggest that when the cycle has finished you do another wash without any detergent – on my machine there is a “refreshing wash” cycle.
Carbon-Careful?
I have tried Ecover liquid and other supposebly natural alternatives to main-stream washing powders and found them to be as useful as a snooze button on a smoke alarm!!!!
I have to use skin ointments and creams and Ecover etc. does not remove them from my clothing, also if not properly rinsed out they still irritate my skin even non-bio! Also natural alternetives do not contain bleach which cause bacteria growth in you towels making them smell, also cause black slime in your washing machine. Unless run your machine empty regulally on a 95 degree wash.
I use Ariel biological powder which does remove the skin treatments very well even with “Short wash” pressed in on my machine, so long as it is properly rinsed out it is OK. I have tried all detergents and am allergic to the lot you name it I’ve tried it!!
Like I have said before washing machines using less water is a selling point, it has no effect on electricity usage what so ever, I do not care about the environment, I love my water guzzling Bosch to bits as it rinses perfectly well, and has cleared my dermatitis and eczema. The only point to saving water is if you are on a water meter, which we are. So what is more important saving water for a country that rains most of the time or not itching like a flea bitten cat? You decide!!
All the best
Oliver Shaw.
Using eco liquid, and not much, may help rinsing issues but unfortunately a consequence can be a build up of sludge and grease which can ruin a washing machine – Washing machine smells – causes of grease, slime and black mould inside washing machines
If this happens use normal detergent with bleaching agents such as detergent for whites on a boil wash once a month although that isn’t very “eco”. However, there’s not much point being environmentally friendly if it shortens the life of the washing machine or causes breakdowns.
Which? have done extensive tests on washing machine detergents and last time I checked the eco ones didn’t do too well although they said they were OK for lightly soiled laundry. I suggest if people are keen to be environmentally friendly they should at least try some for lightly soiled items though not necessarily to replace normal detergent Eco friendly (green) detergents
I’ve just realised something…
Compare laundry detergent with dishwasher detergent and you notice one major difference: dishwasher detergent does not foam (or if it does, it’s a very very small amount), compared to laundry detergent which foams excessively if you use slightly too much and/or wash too few items.
Nearly all new washing machines don’t rinse properly and I believe the reason is not JUST down to less water being used during rinsing and fewer rinse cycles. I reckon laundry detergent should be re-developed to rinse off fabrics easier and not create any foam. If they can already make dishwasher detergent to not foam excessively, why not do the same with laundry detergent?
Talking of dishwasher detergent, if new dishwashers continue to use less and less water and the detergent remains on our crockery, would that cause a health hazard? New washing machines are a health hazard to people with sensitive skin, as you can read above!
Frustrated with Technology:
Foam does nothing in laundry detergent unless heavily soap based, it is there for the consumer only, so leaving it out would have no effect on rinsing, only to the eye. The chemicals that irritate our skin are still there eg. enzymes, surfactants etc. Foam hinders the cleaning power of detergents by cushioning fabrics and preventing the weave of the fabric openning up properly due to it restricting movement.
Another big difference between the two detergents are laundry detergent contains OXYGEN based bleaching agents whereas dishwasher detergent contains CHLORINE based bleaching agents such as Domestos etc. also would remove colour from coloured clothing!!
As for dishwashers not rinsing properly, don’t worry detergent is removed from crockery very easily. Crockery does not absorb detergent like fabrics do. Dishwashers rinse more than you think, ours does two on Economy 50 and three on Intensive 65 (good job I kept the manual for that one!!!). There is no trace of detergent left on anything even after Economy wash.
There is deffinatley a niche in the market for someone to invent a washing machine and washer-drier that rinses properley with a choice of water levels say 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, up the door on wash and rinse also make it have a choice on the number of rinses say ranging from two to five. “Shaw’s Good Old Washer Co.” sounds good don’t you think!!This way people have a choice of how they want their laundry rinsing and washing. But make the default settings the current low water usages so it would sell and could also be A rated, the last bit suggested by Andy Trigg (Washerhelp), comment 48. Also make these machines mechanically timed as solid state timers are unreliable, often why modern washing machines break down!!
All of our washing machines that have lasted well have been mechanical, whereas the solid state broken down within two years!! We like ’em simple up ere in Yorkshire don’t we Andy!!
All the Best
Oliver Shaw.
Oliver: Yes I agree, as far as I’m aware the suds in washing machine detergent are put there mostly for show. In fact suds inhibit washing because they cushion the laundry and reduce the effects of rubbing against each other, which is an essential part of washing. Therefore if too many soapsuds are introduced you will get less efficient washing.
My understanding is that a cynical public do not like detergent which doesn’t contain soapsuds and apparently do not believe it is washing properly unless there are suds. This may well be true but it could easily be dealt with if detergent manufacturers wanted to. It would be very easy for them to get across the message that you don’t need soapsuds. However, whether soapsuds are a substantial part of the rinsing problem or not I am not so sure.
Regarding your comment on solid-state timers being unreliable, they replaced mechanical timers years ago under the flag of being much more reliable. Clearly a solid-state controller should be much more reliable as there are no moving parts but in practice if they are not well designed or cheap components are used they can be unreliable. In some of the cheaper makes they can not only commonly fail but are so expensive when they do that they often write the machine off. However, we will never go back to mechanical timers because all they can do is switch mechanical switches on and off in a linear fashion. Today’s washing machines require computer program software to run and to monitor during wash. If they are made properly they should be more reliable than the mechanical timer.
Andy:
A point that I forgot to mention, alot of washing machines suds-lock during the intermediate spins these days. Meaning that detergent is not pumping away properly and carrying through to the next rinse. However only modern machines seem to do this, and less rinse cycles, often two is the norm means even worse rinsing.
My therory on this is not enough water in the rinse phase to dilute the detergent properly and spin it away, also modern machines spin very fast during the rinses about 800-to 1600rpm, whereas older machines do about 300-400rpm. None of our old machines suds-locked. The Siltal is a bugger for that, its rinsing is bad anyway but even worse because of it suds-locking. I have heard of Mieles doing this, not what you expect from the top quality end is it? I would never ever have a Miele as the rinsing is so poor, shame really as I always fancied one. Oh well at least I can keep my old reliable Bosch going!!
All the Best
Oliver.
Oliver: I’ve not heard of any problems with suds locking. As the machines are specifically designed to spin with water in during wash and spin to force water and detergent through the fabric it shouldn’t be an issue. Are you sure you don’t have a partially blocked filter or a partial obstruction in the drain hose or pump chamber that’s reducing how fast the water pumps away? That could cause such problems.