8 Reasons Your Clothes Are Soaking Wet After Washing
Opening up your washing machine only to find your clothes dripping wet can be frustrating; however, there are possible ways to remedy this. Selecting the correct cycle, properly loading your washer and ensuring your appliance is level are a few potential solutions.
Keep reading to understand why your clothes may be soaked after washing and discover helpful tips to help troubleshoot the problem.
Why are my clothes soaked after washing?
Clothes should be wet but not soaked after a wash cycle. If you find that your clothes are still dripping wet after washing them, you can try loading your washer properly, balancing your washing machine, selecting cycles with the correct spin speed and more.
Find eight potential reasons below that your clothes may be soaking wet after washing them.
1. Overloading the washer
Overloading the washing machine can lead to soaking wet laundry. If you cram too many clothes into the drum, it may result in an unbalanced load, which can reduce the spin speed and result in excess water in the drum at the end. To avoid this, follow the recommended load capacity in your owner’s manual. You can also try to distribute items in loose heaps inside the basket and only fill it about half way.
2. Incorrect cycle selection
Each cycle is designed to handle specific types of fabric and soil levels, with varying spin speeds and durations. If you accidentally select a Delicate Cycle for a heavy load, the low spin speed may not remove excess water. Always choose the appropriate cycle based on your laundry's fabric and soil level. Consult your washing machine’s owner’s manual for guidance if you're unsure about which cycle to choose.
3. Pausing the cycle
Pausing a cycle may prevent the washing machine from running at maximum spin speeds, which can result in soggy clothes at the end of a cycle. If you forget to add a soiled item to your load, use the Add a Garment feature, if your washer has it, so the cycle can resume as desired.
4. Low spin speed
If your washing machine is set to a low spin speed, it may remove less water than cycles with high spin speeds. Depending on your load, you may need to select a cycle with higher spin speeds. Select washing machines may also feature a Drain and Spin Cycle, which can help remove excess water from a load. Always refer to your washing machine’s owner’s manual to ensure you’re using the recommended cycle.
5. The washer isn’t level
If your washer isn't level, it may struggle to spin properly, which can lead to extra water in the drum. To check if your washer is level, place a level on the top of your washer from front to back and side to side. You may need to lower or raise your washer to make it level.
6. Blocked drainage hose
Make sure your drainage hose is properly straightened for adequate water flow and that it isn’t kinked or clogged. If a blockage is present, remove it from the utility sink’s drainage pipe.
7. Poor drain hose installation
A properly installed drain hose is crucial for adequate drainage. Locate the U-shaped drain hose on the back of your washer and confirm it’s positioned securely on the drainpipe or tub, with only 4.5 inches extending inside the drainpipe. A drainpipe that exceeds 96 inches may also cause drainage issues and lead to water flowing back into the washer.
8. Power failure
If there was a power outage during the wash cycle, it’s possible that your washer did not reach full spin speeds or complete an entire spin cycle. After an outage, check your washing machine's settings and restart the cycle if necessary to ensure your laundry receives the proper spin treatment.
Can you put soaking wet clothes in the dryer?
While it may be tempting to throw dripping clothes into the dryer, it's not a recommended solution. Putting soaking wet clothes in the dryer can create excess moisture and make it more difficult for them to dry.
Additionally, when clothes are exposed to moisture for too long they can develop a mildewy smell. To help avoid this, take the time to address the root cause of your wet laundry.
What to do if clothes are too wet for the dryer
If you find yourself with soaking wet clothes, there are a few steps you can take to help resolve this. When clothes are still wet after a spin cycle, try pressing excess water out of your laundry by hand over your washing machine or sink before putting them in the dryer. You can also try running a spin cycle to help remove excessive water from your load.
Explore Whirlpool® Washing Machines
Whirlpool® Washers offer features that can help optimize your laundry routine. Select models can help reduce excess moisture from the drum with the Dry Drum Cycle. After you take the clothes out, close your washer door and select the cycle. A powerful fan reduces excess moisture from the drum, rubber gasket and door.
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