Washing not getting clean in washing machine
Most cases of poor wash results are caused by user factors rather than machine faults – overloading, insufficient detergent, the wrong programme, or the wrong detergent type. Actual machine faults that cause poor cleaning while the cycle appears to complete normally are uncommon, but do occur. Work through the user factors first before concluding the machine is at fault.
When laundry comes out dirty, marked, or poorly rinsed, the washing machine is the obvious suspect. But in the majority of cases the machine is working correctly and the cause lies elsewhere. Eliminating the user factors below takes minutes and may resolve the problem immediately.
Possible Machine Faults Causing Poor Wash Results
There are relatively few washing machine faults that allow the cycle to complete apparently normally while producing poor results. These are the main ones to check if user factors have been eliminated.
Machine heavily contaminated internally
A significant build-up of grease, black mould, or slime inside the drum and drum seal can deposit marks on laundry during the wash cycle. If laundry is coming out with greasy or dark marks that were not present before washing, the machine itself may be the source. See our guide on grease, slime, and black mould inside washing machines.
Drum not turning
If the drum is stationary or barely moving during the wash cycle, laundry will not be agitated and cleaning will be very poor. A drum that is not turning visibly during wash is a clear sign of a belt or motor fault. See our guide on washing machine drum not turning.
Heater not working
Some machines will continue to wash and complete the cycle normally even if the heating element has failed – without displaying an error code. The wash runs at cold temperature, producing noticeably poorer results, particularly on heavily soiled items. See our guide on washing machine not heating up water.
Partial drain blockage affecting rinsing
A partial blockage in the pump or filter may allow the machine to drain slowly enough to appear complete, while leaving enough dirty water to compromise the rinse cycles. Laundry comes out feeling soapy or with residue. See our guide on washing machine not draining properly.
User Factors: Check These Before Assuming a Machine Fault
Overloading the drum
A full drum prevents laundry from moving freely against itself and from circulating through the detergent solution. Cleaning depends on physical agitation and contact – an overloaded machine cannot provide this. See our guide on how to load a washing machine correctly.
Insufficient or poor quality detergent
Using too little detergent is one of the most common causes of poor results – particularly in hard water areas where the water itself works against the detergent. Use good quality detergent at the dose recommended on the packet for the soiling level and water hardness.
Using the wrong programme
Quick wash and economy programmes use lower temperatures and shorter cycle times – they are designed for lightly soiled or fresh laundry only. Using them for dirty clothes will produce poor results. For genuinely dirty laundry, a full cotton programme at the appropriate temperature is needed. See our guide on washing at 30 degrees – what you need to know.
Option buttons reducing water or temperature
Economy or water-saving options reduce cleaning effectiveness and are designed for light soiling and smaller loads – not for a full drum of dirty laundry. Read the instruction manual to understand what each option does before using it. Related guide: washing machines not rinsing properly.
Using the wrong type of detergent
Biological detergent works best at lower temperatures – its enzymes are deactivated by heat – but needs adequate cycle time. Non-biological detergent is less effective at low temperatures. Liquid and colour-safe detergents contain no bleaching agents, so whites washed exclusively in these will gradually turn grey. See our guide on choosing the right type of detergent.
Detergent in the wrong compartment
If powder or liquid is placed in the pre-wash or fabric softener compartment rather than the main wash compartment, it is released at the wrong point in the cycle – either too early or only on the rinse. This also exposes the heating element to limescale build-up if the detergent that normally inhibits it is absent at the correct stage. See our guide on soap dispenser or drum: where to put the detergent.
What If the Machine Is Simply Not Very Good at Washing?
Independent testing has found meaningful variation in washing performance between different washing machine models and brands. Some machines genuinely wash significantly better than others, even at equivalent price points. If all user factors have been checked and the machine is working mechanically – completing cycles at normal speed with no error codes, heating the water, and draining properly – but results are still poor, the machine itself may simply perform below average.
This is particularly likely when switching from one machine to another. A previous machine may have produced better results not because of any user error, but because it washed more effectively.
Which? carries out standardised washing performance testing across a wide range of machines (full results require a subscription). This kind of comparative data is the most useful guide when considering whether a machine is genuinely underperforming.
If machine faults rather than user factors appear to be the cause, an engineer visit may be needed to confirm whether the heater, pump, or drum mechanism is at fault.
Related Guides
Which Is the Best Type of Washing Machine Detergent?
Powder, liquid, biological, non-biological – which works best and when to use each type.
White Streaks on Laundry After Washing
Causes of white residue or powder left on clothing – including detergent and rinsing issues.
Grease Marks on Clothes After Washing
Why greasy marks sometimes appear on laundry after washing – and whether the machine or detergent is the cause.
How to Load a Washing Machine Correctly
Correct loading technique for the best cleaning results and avoiding out-of-balance spin loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my washing machine not cleaning clothes properly?
The most common causes are user factors: overloading the drum, using too little or poor quality detergent, selecting an inappropriate programme (such as a quick wash for heavily soiled items), or using the wrong type of detergent for the wash temperature. Machine faults that affect cleaning while the cycle appears normal include a failed heater, a drum that is not turning, or internal contamination depositing marks on laundry.
Could the heater not working cause poor wash results?
Yes. Some machines continue the wash cycle at cold water temperature without displaying an error code if the heating element fails. The cycle completes in normal time but produces noticeably poor results, particularly on greasy or heavily soiled items. If results have suddenly deteriorated without any other obvious change, the heater is worth checking.
My new machine doesn’t wash as well as my old one – is something wrong?
Not necessarily a fault, but possibly genuine underperformance. Independent testing has found significant variation in washing performance between machines. It is also worth checking whether anything else has changed – detergent brand, dosage, programme selection, or load type. If all these match the previous routine and results are still worse, the machine may simply be a less effective washer than the previous one.
Can overloading really cause poor wash results?
Yes, significantly. Laundry needs room to move freely through the wash water, and items need to rub against each other for mechanical cleaning action. An overloaded drum prevents this movement. Detergent also needs space to dissolve and circulate. An overloaded machine may appear to wash normally but produces measurably worse cleaning results.
That’s mentioned in the article Robert, under the possible washing machine faults, there’s a link to further info too.
When running a wash in my indesit machine it does,nt seem to heat the water. Then the clothes come out at the end still smelling. How,s this?…..Bob
That’s good news Jean. I would suspect leaving it for 2 weeks might have allowed the gunge to dry out and flake off during the proceeding washes.