Why Is My Laundry Soaking Wet After a Wash Cycle? - Universal Appliance Repair (2024)

Washers and dryers are designed to work in concert to conveniently provide clean and fluffy clothes in a couple of hours. A crucial part of this process is when the washer spins the load to remove the excess water before the laundry can go into the dryer. After all, your clothing, bedding, towels, or other items have just been in soapy water for 30 minutes or more, so it is important that they are properly rinsed and most of the water is removed. So, it can be a real problem when you open up the washer at the end of the cycle and the items are soaking wet. Here we’ll delve into this problem in a little more detail, so you can resolve the issue and get back to an efficient laundry routine.

Why Is My Laundry Soaking Wet After a Wash Cycle? - Universal Appliance Repair (1)

1. An Underpowered Spin

Washing machines use centrifugal forces to force water out of the laundry items. The drum spins very fast and water droplets are pushed out of the drum towards the drain. Unfortunately, if your washer has an underpowered spin, your items may not be spun fast enough to eliminate all the excess water. If you unload your washer and the items are soaking wet, yet there is no standing water in the machine, this is the most likely culprit.

Unless you have inadvertently changed the settings to a slow spin, the problem could be mechanical with issues relating to the belt, clutch, bearings, or motor pulley. The belt works with a series of pulleys to spin the drum, while the clutch is a crucial part of the motor assembly as are the bearings and motor pulley. If there is a problem with any of these elements, the spin speeds may be critically low and you’ll get sopping wet items.

2. Oversudsing

Modern detergents are very effective, so if you tend to eyeball the detergent for each load, you may put in too much. This can lead to the washer overflowing with bubbles, which can cause soapy water on the floor and soapy clothing. Another side effect is known as suds lock. This occurs when the bubbles create an air pocket between the wall of the tub inside the washer and the laundry items. As the tub spins, the items can slip through, spinning far slowly as the soap is impeding contact and friction.

Fortunately, this is an easy fix, as you just need to reduce the amount of detergent you’re using. If you have a high efficiency or front loader washer, make sure you use HE soap, which is designed to produce fewer suds.

3. Incorrect Draining

Another reasonable cause for soaking wet clothing after your wash cycle is drain problems. If the washer cannot drain the soapy wash water, then it stays in the tub. The laundry items will sit in a tub full of water, so they are soaked, even if the cycle finishes with a spin.

There are several reasons why your washer may be incorrectly draining. The first is a clogged drain, which can often be solved by clearing the drain filter or using a plumbing snake. Your washer may also have a weak drain pump that may need to be replaced with a new one. Finally, your washer may have drain siphoning. This occurs when the washer accidentally pulls some water back into the tub, which can resoak your laundry items.

If you’ve checked these issues and your laundry is still soaking wet, it may be time to call in the professionals. There are a number of issues including problems with the inlet valve, a loose door latch, or a control panel malfunction that need to be addressed. Fortunately, you can rely on the expertise of a professional appliance repair technician to determine the underlying issue and provide an effective solution.

Why Is My Laundry Soaking Wet After a Wash Cycle? - Universal Appliance Repair (2024)

FAQs

Why are my clothes coming out of the washer soaking wet? ›

Loading Too Many Items. Overloading can lead to an imbalance that reduces the washer's spin speed, leaving clothes too wet after spin cycle completes. If the washer leaves clothes soaked after a large load, remove some items, redistribute others and run another rinse and spin cycle.

What happens if laundry stays wet? ›

If you let your wet clothes sit long enough, you'll have to deal with not only the mildew smell in your clothes, but also possible stains and patches of rotten fabric. Yuck! The moist environment of your washer encourages mold and mildew to release spores. This can cause problems for people with conditions like asthma.

Why are my clothes still wet after spin cycle Samsung? ›

When you find clothes too wet after spin cycle ends, the washer may be overloaded with too many items. Overloading can slow the washer's spin speed, leaving clothes wet. If your washer is loud, overloading may have also caused an imbalance.

How do you reset a washing machine? ›

If you see no change, you can try a Master Reset. This will reset all of the onboard componentry and is often successfully used by appliance technicians. Open and close the door of the washing machine 6 times within 12 seconds. Then, run the rinse/spin cycle without clothing to see if your problems are resolved.

Why are my clothes still wet after being in the dryer? ›

A good airflow is the key for a dryer to work properly. If your clothes are still wet after a drying cycle it could mean that the Air Vent is clogged. To fix this problem, you will have to unplug the dryer and disconnect it from the vent. Once everything is disconnected, it's time to vacuum the vent.

How do I know if my washing machine drain hose is clogged? ›

If the machine turns on and you hear the sound of the water pump, but no actual water appears, then you most likely have a clogged drain hose. The hose can be removed from the back of the machine and be checked for any dirt or dust that may have created a blockage.

How do you deal with wet laundry? ›

Wash clothes ASAP, especially if you got sweaty or wet while wearing them. Wash clothes inside out to give them a deeper clean. Add a cup of baking soda or 2 cups of vinegar to your wash cycle to shift odours. Don't forget to clean your washing machine too!

Is it OK to let wet laundry sit? ›

Is It Okay to Leave Wet Laundry in the Washer Overnight? While it's best practice to place your garments in the dryer or on the clothesline right after the cycle finishes, it's perfectly okay to leave your wet clothes in the washer overnight, Martha says.

How long can laundry stay wet in washer? ›

A good rule of thumb is to avoid leaving clothes in the washer for more than 8 to 12 hours. However, Murphy says there's more to think about than just timing to prevent your clothes from smelling and mildewing, especially if you're prone to letting your laundry sit for hours at a time.

How do you clean a washing machine drain filter? ›

  1. Step 1: Wipe the Filter and Housing. Open the filter housing and wipe away lint and debris using paper towels. ...
  2. Step 2: Scrub the Filter. Using a soft-bristle brush, such as an old toothbrush or dish brush, scrub the filter to remove lint and debris that has built up on the filter.
  3. Step 3: Run a Short Wash Cycle.
Aug 19, 2022

Why won t my Samsung washer spin dry? ›

If your washer doesn't drain or spin:
  • Turn the washer off and on at the power point. ...
  • Make sure the drain hose is straightened. ...
  • Make sure the debris filter is not clogged.
  • If you are able to open and close the door, close it and press START/PAUSE. ...
  • Make sure the drain hose is not clogged.
Feb 14, 2023

How do I reset my top loader washing machine? ›

Motor Reset Procedure:
  1. Unplug the washer for 1 minute from the electrical outlet.
  2. Plug the washer back in and lift and lower the lid 6 times within a 12 second period. You have 30 seconds to start lifting and lowering the lid. ...
  3. The motor has now been reset and is ready for you to start a cycle.

How do I reset my washing machine motherboard? ›

To reset the electronic controls on your washer, shut off the circuit breaker or fuse to the washer or unplug the washer for 2 minutes. For models that have a timer control knob, turn the knob around and back to any position other than final spin for the interrupted cycle. Then, restore power.

How do I know if my washing machine filter is blocked? ›

Signs That Your Linter Filter Needs Cleaning
  • You notice a buildup of laundry detergent or laundry softener residues on clothes.
  • The clothes do not dry as fast as they usually would.
  • The clothes don't dry at all.
  • You notice a lot of lint falling off when the screen is inside the appliance.
May 29, 2020

How do I know if my washing machine drain pump is not working? ›

Usually, if the drain pump isn't working properly, you'll hear an unusual noise or notice leaking from the washing machine when it is running. If your pump is malfunctioning, you'll need to replace it yourself or call a professional to replace it for you.

Why is water left in my washing machine after wash? ›

Water In Bottom of Washing Machine Drum: Why It Happens

Your drain hose is kinked. Your lid mechanism is broken or not engaging fully. Your drain or hose is clogged. Your load was too large for a good spin cycle.

Where do you put vinegar in a washing machine? ›

When washing your clothing, add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment just before the last rinse cycle. If you'd like your clothes to have a mild scent, add four or five drops of essential oil into the fabric softener compartment.

What can ruin a washing machine? ›

12 Bad Habits That Are Damaging Your Washer & Dryer
  • You don't empty your pockets. ...
  • You put lingerie in the washer & dryer. ...
  • You use too much detergent. ...
  • You cram the washing machine too full. ...
  • You leave wet clothes in the washing machine. ...
  • You're overloading your dryer. ...
  • You're overusing dryer sheets. ...
  • You're mixing items.

Can laundry be too wet for the dryer? ›

Excessively wet clothes don't just signal a problem with your washer; they can compromise your dryer too. The longer drying times and extra weight of soaked clothing can overwork dryer parts, resulting in costly breakdowns.

How long does it take for wet clothes to smell? ›

It can take as little as 8 hours (and up to 12 hours) to develop. If you notice wet clothes starting to smell it's likely that mildew has begun to take hold, so you should run another wash with an extra rinse cycle.

How do you unclog a drain pipe? ›

Follow these easy steps to unclog your drain:
  1. Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.
  2. Next, pour a cup of baking soda and 1 cup water/1 cup vinegar solution.
  3. Cover with the drain plug and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
  4. Pour boiling water down the drain again.

How do you clean a washing machine drum? ›

Pour a quart of white vinegar into the wash drum with a cup of baking soda. Use a stiff nylon brush and vinegar to scrub the interior of the wash drum. At the hottest temperature setting, run a wash cycle with this cleaning solution in an empty washer; select the heavy-duty wash cycle if available.

Which is the most reliable washing machine brand? ›

What brand of washing machine is most reliable? Whirlpool, LG, and Samsung are the most reliable brands of washers. Yale Appliance found that less than 7% of the sales of these units required servicing. J.D. Power also ranks Samsung and LG as the highest-ranking manufacturers in customer satisfaction.

What happens if you don't clean washing machine filter? ›

A clogged washing machine filter will also develop mold and mildew if it isn't cleaned regularly. Spores will get into your clothes during the wash and cause allergic reactions if you're not careful. The machine will have a shorter lifespan without regular cleaning or maintenance.

How often do you need to clean the drain on a washing machine? ›

This should be done about every two weeks. If the drain pump filter gets clogged with debris, the water flow will slow down, and fill up with stinky water over time. Old water that didn't drain sits here, as does lint and other odd items.

How do you fix a washer that won't spin dry? ›

Check the Motor and Drive Belt

A drive belt that is broken or slips off the pulley will prevent your machine from spinning. Check the connection from the motor to the drive belt to the drum. This could be the issue if you hear the sound of the spin cycle motor, but the drum isn't spinning.

Does spinning washing dry it? ›

The spin cycle works to extract moisture from your clothes at the end of the wash cycle. The higher the 'RPM' the drier the clothes are, reducing additional drying time in either the tumble dryer or by hanging outside.

How do I make my washing machine dry only? ›

To perform a DRY ONLY cycle:
  1. Press the POWER button to turn on the washer.
  2. Press the DRY button until the desired dry level or time is selected.
  3. Press the START/PAUSE button to begin the cycle.
Aug 11, 2022

What does recalibrating a washer do? ›

After your washing machine has been installed or moved, it is advised to run Calibration Mode before starting a wash. This will calibrate the weight sensors in your machine. The steps to run Calibration Mode will differ depending on the washing machine model that you own.

How do I calibrate my washing machine drum? ›

  1. Remove all laundry or any other contents in the machine.
  2. Power off, and then power on the washing machine on again.
  3. Hold down Temp.
  4. Press START/PAUSE to run the Calibration cycle.
  5. The drum will rotate clockwise and counterclockwise for about 3 minutes.
Sep 15, 2022

How do you reset a washing machine with affresh? ›

Here's the simple process to use affresh®:
  1. Step 1: Prep Your Washer and Add affresh® Remove clothing or other items from your washer. ...
  2. Step 2: Start Your Washer. Select Clean Washer cycle if your washer has one or Normal or Heavy cycle and Hot water temperature. ...
  3. Step 3: Wipe Away Residue. ...
  4. Step 4: Repeat if Needed.

What are the most common problems on a Whirlpool washing machine? ›

Here are seven of the most common problems on a Whirlpool washing machine and potential fixes for them.
  • Washer Making Unusual Noises. ...
  • Washer Won't Start. ...
  • Washer Lid Won't Lock. ...
  • LD Error Code Appears. ...
  • Washer Leaves Deposits on Dark Clothes. ...
  • Washer Has a Burned Plastic Odor. ...
  • Rust Spots Appear on Washer Lid.
Jun 14, 2022

Why are my clothes still wet after Maytag washer spins? ›

Typically, this means checking the drain hose, drain pump, and any filters or coin traps that could be blocked. Other causes of clothes still being wet after the spin cycle include an unbalanced washer, using the wrong detergent, or a worn or loose drive belt.

How do you reset a control board? ›

Control panel reset.
  1. Click Search.
  2. Type restore.
  3. Open create a restore point.
  4. Click the system restore button.
  5. Hit Next.
  6. Pick a restore point (Preferably a date before the issue happened)
  7. Wait for the process to finish.
Jun 7, 2022

Is there a reset button on a motherboard? ›

If you have a newer and fairly high-end motherboard, they often have a dedicated “Clear CMOS” button on either the rear I/O near the USB ports or on the motherboard itself, usually along the edges of the board. To use it, power the system on and then press the reset button.

Why is my washer not draining completely? ›

A washing machine not draining can have multiple causes, including a clogged or jammed drain hose or a broken pump, lid switch, or belt. No matter the culprit, you need to drain the water from the washing machine before diagnosing the issue or doing any work to remedy the situation.

How do you fix water coming out of laundry? ›

Check each hose to ensure that they are properly connected to the machine and make sure that the washers on the inlet hoses are firmly in place. If any parts are loose, tighten them. Inspect the drain hose for any kinks or clogs, as any blockages can create a water backup that results in standing water.

How do you fix an unbalanced washing machine? ›

If the washer sits on an uneven surface, its feet will need to be adjusted, or something like a strip of carpet will need to be put under the washer to balance it. Another option is to put rubber vibration absorbers under the washer to balance and reduce shaking when the washer is operating.

Why is my washer full of water after washing? ›

Water In Bottom of Washing Machine Drum: Why It Happens

Your lid mechanism is broken or not engaging fully. Your drain or hose is clogged. Your load was too large for a good spin cycle. Your washing machine's sensors are damaged or old.

Can a blocked filter cause a washing machine to leak? ›

Another big cause of leaks is a clogged pump filter, so it's wise to clean your pump filter (as described above) every three months through the bottom pump filter access panel.

Can overloading a washing machine make it leak? ›

A leaky front load washing machine is often caused by overloading with too much clothing. Exceeding the load capacity of your washer tub can throw the machine off balance, resulting in leaks. Excessively heavy loads can also put pressure on washing machine components, like the tub bearings or drain pump.

How do I know if my washer drum is off balance? ›

If a top load washer's tub begins to bang against the sides of the washer when the spin cycle begins (before reaching top speed), this indicates a likely unbalanced load. Just pause the cycle and arrange the clothes in the basket and try again.

How do I make sure my washing machine is load balanced? ›

Clothes should be distributed evenly and loosely inside the machine. Even a large load of laundry should not fill the washer tub more than three-quarters full. For a front-load washing machine, pile clothes up high, but don't cram them past the last row of holes at the front (the row closest to the door).

How do you balance a washing machine by yourself? ›

Leveling a Washing Machine

By placing a level on top of the machine, you can adjust the feet of the washer, not the actual floor, to make the machine level. This means that even if the floor itself is not level, you can compensate by adjusting the machine feet to be just right.

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