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- August 1, 2021
- Washer
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Though we expect wet clothes at the end of a wash cycle, dripping wet is a different story. What do I do if my laundry is too wet? Avoid overloading the washer tub so it spins properly. Solve the mystery of why your washing machine leaves clothes wet with these troubleshooting tips.
Top 5 Reasons a Washing Machine
Leaves Clothes Wet
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. We’ll pinpoint the most common reasons your washing machine leaves clothes wet to avoid this double trouble.
Washer Plugged Into an Extension Cord
Using an extension cord is a common reason a washer leaves clothes too wet for the dryer. Extension cords can’t sufficiently transfer the power a washer requires to operate, resulting in slower spin speeds that leave clothes wet. This lack of power can also cause overheating that shuts down the washer mid-cycle before clothes can be spun or drained.
Always use the electrical cord supplied by your washing machine manufacturer to ensure that it safely receives adequate power.
Exceeding Washing Machine Capacity
Overloading the washer with too many items could be another reason your washing machine leaves clothes wet. Too much clothing can create an imbalance in the washer tub that reduces spin speeds, leaving clothes wet. Remove some items and redistribute others to balance the washer drum before running another drain and spin cycle.
Before loading, check your user manual to determine your model washer’s capacity and avoid exceeding it to ensure it spins properly. In general, it’s best to only load your washer ¾ of the way full for optimum cleaning and spinning.
Need to Select Different Cycle Settings
If your washer leaves clothes soaked, you may also need to check your cycle settings. Hand Wash or Delicate settings often use slower spin speeds to avoid harming fragile fabrics, leaving a standard wash load soaking wet. Make sure your washer’s setting is the right one for your wash load before starting the machine.
Some washers have spin speed options that allow you to adjust the speed of the spin cycle. If possible, try increasing the speed so clothes are less wet when the spin cycle ends.
Washer Is Not Spinning Correctly
Are your clothes too wet after spin cycle even after adjusting the speed and setting? A part malfunction may be responsible.
These part failures can result in a washer not spinning properly and require a professional repair:
- Broken drive belt: The drive belt wraps around the washer drum via two pulleys, spinning the drum with the motor’s power. If this thin rubber belt loosens or frays, the washer won’t spin sufficiently. If it breaks, the tub won’t spin at all.
- Damaged door latch: In front load washers, the latch secures the washer door and signals the control panel to begin a wash cycle. If the latch fails electronically or suffers damage, the tub won’t spin and a wash cycle won’t start.
- Faulty lid switch: Top loading washers use a lid switch to prevent the washer from spinning if the door is open. If the switch is faulty or damaged, the washer may not spin even if the door is closed.
Washing Machine Not Draining Water
If you still find your washer leaving clothes too wet, a part failure could also cause a draining issue.
The following malfunctions can result in draining problems that leave clothes wet:
- Kinked or clogged drain hose: If the drain hose becomes kinked or clogged, water will back up into the washer tub after draining. Gently straighten a kinked hose so water can flow. To assess for clogs, disconnect the drain hose from the washer and/or drainpipe stand. Regular washing machine maintenance, like tub and drain pump filter cleanings, can help prevent blockages.
- Clogged drain pump filter: This filter collects dirt and debris to prevent it from clogging the drain pump. If the filter becomes blocked, water won’t be able to flow through it and will remain in the washer. Refer to your user manual to determine how to access and regularly clean the drain pump filter on your washer.
- Failed drain pump: The drain pump uses a motor and impellers to expel water out of the washer tub and into the drain hose. Check the pump impellers for blockages that can be removed to restore function. If there are no blockages and the pump still doesn’t work properly, it requires replacement.
If your washing machine leaves clothes wet after trying these troubleshooting tips, it’s time for a professional assessment. Schedule your expert washing machine repair with the experts at Solar Appliance Service!
Serving New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Jackson, MS, and surrounding areas.
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