Your clothes washer is designed to drain and spin at the end of each load so that your clothes are only damp when you put them in the dryer. If clothes are coming out of the washer soaking wet, it’s a sure sign of a problem. Sometimes there is a simple fix for wet clothes after washing, while other times it’s a sign that your washer needs repair. Here’s what you should know to address this problem.
Be Careful When Loading
Overloading the washer is one of the most common causes of inadequate drying during the spin cycle. If the washer drum is too full, it can cause the drum to spin more slowly than it normally would, which makes it harder for the clothes to dry. Your clothes likely won’t get as clean if the washer is too full, either.
In addition to causing problems with cleaning and drying, filling your washer too full uses more power. The extra weight in the drum places more strain on the drum motor, so the motor has to draw more power to spin the drum at the same speed. Overloading the washer drum also makes problems like motor burnout and worn or broken belts more likely.
Check the Cycle Settings
The fix for a clothes washer that leaves your clothes too wet may be as simple as changing the way you use the washer. The settings on your machine will vary depending on the model and year it was made, but most have similar cycle settings. If you are filling the washer but using a setting like “casual,” “delicate,” or “light,” the drum may not be spinning fast enough to dry your clothes.
Ensure Adequate Power Supply
If your washer isn’t getting the power it needs to run at full capacity, the drum may be spinning too slowly no matter what you have your washer set on. Depending on the layout of your home, your washer may have been plugged into an extension cord rather than directly into a power outlet. Unfortunately, extension cords often can’t deliver 120 volts consistently enough to power the appliance.
Make sure your washer is plugged directly into an outlet, and see if the problem of inadequate drying persists. If it does, consider trying another outlet as well to rule out the possibility of a short in the outlet being used.
Inspect the Drain Hose
You may notice that in addition to your clothes not drying properly, there’s a lot of water left in the bottom of your washer after a cycle completes. This points to a drainage issue, so it’s a good idea to take a look at your washer’s drainage hose.
Pull your washer away from the wall and check for any kinks in the drainage hose that may be preventing your washer from draining. If the hose doesn’t appear to be kinked, a blockage in the hose is also possible. Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to remove the hose and check for a blockage.
Unplug your washer and locate the spot where the drainage hose connects to it. This is usually on the back of the unit near the bottom. The hose is often held in place with a retainer that can be removed by unscrewing two screws. Lay a towel down, unscrew the hose, and after emptying any water out of the hose, look into it. If you can see through the hose, a blockage isn’t to blame.
If these troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the problem, you may be dealing with a mechanical issue, such as a malfunctioning drain pump. Contact us atCapital City Appliance Service, Inc.if you need professional service for your clothes washer or any other appliance!
