If your just-washed clothes come out of the machine dripping wet, the problem may not be the appliance itself but how you use it. Morgan LaLonde, Whirlpool's laundry brand manager, points to five frequent errors that leave excess water in the drum, from overloading to selecting the wrong cycle.
LaLonde explains that the amount of water left in clothes after a wash depends on both the machine's mechanics and the user's choices. A load that is too full, an unbalanced drum, a blocked hose, or a spin speed that is too gentle can all prevent proper drainage, leaving you with a soggy pile instead of a damp one.
Overloading and Unbalanced Loads
Filling the drum to capacity might seem efficient, but it often backfires. According to LaLonde, overloading can create an unbalanced load, which may reduce the spin speed and leave excess water in the drum. She recommends filling the drum only about halfway and distributing items in loose heaps to avoid this issue.
Similarly, an uneven distribution of clothes—such as a heavy clump of bulky items on one side and only a few delicates on the other—can throw off the machine's balance. If you notice consistently wet laundry, LaLonde suggests reloading with the proper amount and ensuring the load is evenly spread.
Choosing the Wrong Cycle
Selecting an incorrect cycle for the fabric type or soil level is another common mistake. For instance, a delicate cycle uses less agitation and is gentle on fragile fabrics, but it may not be suitable for heavy items like sweatshirts. Washing a large load of heavy clothing on a delicate setting can result in insufficient drainage, leaving clothes soaking wet.
LaLonde advises checking the clothing's care tag for the recommended temperature and cycle, and always consulting the washer's manual to ensure the right settings. If you've lost the manual, you can often find an electronic version online by searching for your model number.
Low Spin Speed and Blocked Drainage
A low spin speed is gentle on fabrics and can help prevent wrinkles, but it also removes less water. LaLonde notes that setting the machine to a low spin speed will leave more moisture in the clothes than a high spin setting. For items that can handle it, a higher spin speed is better for drying.
Another potential culprit is a blocked or poorly installed drainage hose. The hose is the only path for water to exit the drum; if it's clogged or kinked, water stays trapped, leaving clothes to soak. If your laundry is consistently wet despite correct loading and cycle selection, check the hose for blockages or installation issues.
By addressing these five factors—load size, balance, cycle choice, spin speed, and hose condition—you can improve your washer's performance and cut down on drying time.
