When washing is not being cleaned properly, or comes out with marks on, most people blame the washing machine. But there are other explanations for this problem and sometimes the user is at fault. So you need to eliminate all user faults before blaming the washing machine.
There aren’t many faults on a washing machine that allow it to work apparently normally and complete the cycle in normal time, but just not wash properly. Listed below are a few possibilities.
Possible washing machine faults
1: Maybe the washing machine has become so dirty inside, and full of grease, gunge, or black mould that it is causing marks on laundry – Causes and cures for grease, slime black mould and smells in washing machine.
2: A partial blockage in pumping system could be preventing water being pumped out properly causing poor rinsing (Washing machine won't empty water)
3: The drive belt could have come off, or some other fault causing drum to not revolve. If you can see that the drum is not turning during the wash cycle read this article Drum not turning.
4: Heater not working? Some washing machines may not give an error code if the heater fails to heat up the water and instead can just carry on washing. This can result in poor wash results as described in the following article washer not heating up water
Possible causes of washing not getting clean properly
The majority of causes for a washing machine not washing properly are not actual faults on the machine. So it’s worth properly checking out all the following explanations.
If you have a new washing machine and your previous washer washed better it’s possible that either something’s changed (maybe you’re using different detergents, washing different loads or using different wash cycles). Or maybe the new washer just doesn’t wash as well. Wash results can vary a lot between different washing machines (check out Which? washing machine reviews).
This list covers the most common causes of poor wash results and they are all user faults
Overloading the drum causes poor wash results because laundry needs to move about and rub against each other and detergent needs room to circulate. See how to properly load a washing machine for best cleaning and avoiding out of balance loads and White streaks on laundry.
Using poor quality, or not enough detergent – especially in hard water areas. Try to use good quality detergent, they aren’t all the same at all. Use the proper amount recommended on the pack for the level of soiling and the hardness of the water (related Causes of grease spots on laundry).
Using an inappropriate programme: Some wash programmes are quicker, and use lower temperatures – but they won’t clean dirty laundry properly. Use only for very lightly soiled laundry (related Pros and cons of washing at 30 degrees – do you even save that much money?)
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Using option buttons inappropriately: Read the manual to understand exactly what many of these option buttons do before using them, especially ones claiming to save water or electricity. Cutting down the amount of water and temperature can reduce wash efficiency and is usually designed for smaller loads with light soiling not a normal wash with dirty clothes inside.
Using options to reduce water usage (or even using a washing machine claiming to use hardly any water) can reduce the effectiveness of rinsing. (related article Washing machines not rinsing properly.)
Using the wrong type of detergent: Biological detergent needs lower temperatures and a lot more time to clean laundry. It also contains living enzymes, which die once they reach higher temperatures so pick appropriate wash cycles.
Conversely, non biological detergent isn’t as effective at low temperatures. Liquid detergents, and “colour friendly” detergents don’t contain any bleaching agents, so they won’t keep whites brilliantly white and will allow whites to gradually go greyish. (related article – Are you using just one type of detergent when they do different jobs?)
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Putting the detergent into the wrong compartment in the soap dispenser drawer. This would mean the detergent goes into the drum too early or only on rinses. It would not only affect washing performance, but would expose the heating element to damaging limescale build up.
If there is no obvious fault on the washing machine, such as the drum not turning, and the washing machine goes through the wash cycle as normal, and spins the clothes dry at the end, with no errors showing, then carefully eliminate the list of user faults above before calling an engineer or complaining to the retailer.
Maybe the washing machine is just not very good at washing
You would think it impossible for a modern washing to just be incapable of producing good quality wash results, but according to Which? many washing machines that they test are just “poor” at washing no matter how well you use them.
This is of course ludicrous. How hard can it be for a washing machine to wash laundry properly? All they have to do is fill with water and detergent, heat up the water and agitate the laundry. Then drain the water, rinse a few times and spin.
However, it does appear many are much better at it than others and some are so bad that Which? warns against buying them. Check out the Which? appliance reviews and recommendations to find out which are good and which are poor – Which trial offer
Mrs Barron says
I have a hot point wmud 962 ultima 9kg, My problem is a smelly washing machine all my clothes smell when they come out as well, the seal is mouldy to. when speaking to the hot point service people all they can say is its maintenance problems they have suggested bleach, cleaners, do the cleaning once a month i have to do it more than that. Ive cut down on the soap powder the comfort, stop using liquid tabs liquid soap as I’ve been told they leave a residue I’am a my wits end and the service company wont send anyone out to look.
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Cutting down on detergent (or not using enough) is one of the causes of this problem listed in my article. The cause of mould, smells and grease and gunge are user related which is why they won’t send anyone to look.
Sometimes, a washing machine can get so gunged up inside it’s impossible to clean it properly but check out my article
causes of washing machine smells
Sam says
Thanks a lot for all your tips
I use liquid detergent along with 50 mark cup of soda crystals, on 40 temp with a 125 min in total program and still things are not clean enough
specially with white which I use temp 60
any more advice please
I also noticed that this bosch washing machine doesnt use a lot of water I dont seem to see water at all, and dont see the soap as well bubbling I know it shouldnt be much but I see none, help please thanks a lot
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Try this article Sam – Do you use just use one type of detergent?
Nick says
Really useful article that reinforces what I told my wife who says machine not wahing properly. Thanks.
But none of your user issues apply so what could it be?
Is it possible that the heater element has gone? That’s not inbuilt list and cold water wouldn’t wash clean.
It’s a mid market John Lewis machine.
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
If the heater isn’t working it could definitely affect wash results. However, most washing machines should time out on heat and abort with an error if the water temperature isn’t raised after a set time. There are exceptions to this but again I’d expect at the very least for the washer to take a lot longer to wash (as described in the following article). Have a good read of my article here which should help Washing machine not heating up water
Claire says
Hi I have a hotpoint washing machine. I have been using it for over a year now and still haven’t had a wash where all the clothes have been cleaned correctly. At first I bough it was he washing powder I was using so I have tried various different brands. This didn’t help. I have changed the type of wash cycle and still no different. The last 3 washes I have changed the spin to the intense option and although the clothes are now smelling fresher the stains are still there (although I think the clothes are fresher as I have added freshening balls to the drum). A new problem we are now having is the smell of sulphur coming from the washing machine pipes but I don’t know how to get rid of it.
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello Claire. A smell of sulphur coming from the washing machine pipes would imply that it is very dirty inside with an accumulation of grease gunge. This is caused as described in my article above by low-temperature washes and especially if combined with liquid detergents which contain no bleaching agents. Which wash cycle have you mostly used and which detergent?
Check this article too washing machine smells
ann lamb says
Black lines on white shirt from the miele washing machine not mould or gurney once I get the black lines out and put on the washing machine it keep coming out the same black mark washing machine is 4 month old do maintenance wash once a month do you think I need the engineer out so frustrating
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Black marks are commonly caused by black mould on the door seal but 4 months is very young to suspect mould in the washing machine. Just double check under the lip of the door seal just in front of the drum.