Washing settings guide
Clothes Still Dirty After Washing Machine
Use this guide when clothes come out with marks, stains, detergent, or stale patches after a wash.
Poor wash results do not identify a particular failed part. Check the load, fabric programme, stain treatment and detergent instructions, then investigate any actual fault or failure to rinse or drain.
Last updated: 22 September 2026
Quick answer
Best washing machine setting
Program
Match fabric, load and soil level
Temperature
Do not exceed the care label
Spin
Use the suitable programme’s default; follow textile and model limits
Why: Work through the wash setup before assuming a component fault.
Safe tip: Check the care label and the load limit for this programme before starting.
Step-by-step setup
- 1.Compare the load with the programme’s capacity and intended soil level.
- 2.Check the fabric and stain-treatment instructions before increasing heat.
- 3.Measure detergent for the product, load, soiling and local water hardness.
- 4.Confirm the detergent is placed in the compartment or drum as instructed.
- 5.If an error appears or water remains, stop changing wash settings and follow the exact model guidance.
Related problems and error codes
Drainage faults that can leave laundry poorly rinsed
Hoover Washing Machine E03
The washing machine is not draining water on models using Hoover's E03/E3 mapping
Bosch Washing Machine E36
A drainage warning whose full suffix matters
Hotpoint Washing Machine F05
Waste-pipe blockage or pump problem
Hotpoint Washing Machine F11
Pump-circuit fault
Indesit Washing Machine F11
Pump-circuit fault
Samsung Washing Machine 5C
Water-drainage error
When to use this setting
- Clothes still have visible marks after washing.
- Laundry feels soapy, dull, or stale.
- Quick wash is being used for full or dirty loads.
When not to use it
- An actual fault code or retained water needs model-specific troubleshooting.
- The garment needs specialist treatment rather than another machine wash.
Common mistakes
- Assuming more detergent always improves cleaning.
- Using a shortened programme beyond its stated limits.
- Diagnosing a heater, pump or other component from dirty clothes alone.
Related guides
Best Washing Machine Setting for Everyday Laundry
A useful everyday routine starts by sorting the load, then choosing the fabric programme in the manual. A Mixed or Easy Care setting is a candidate for compatible clothing, not a universal default.
Washing Machine Leaves Residue on Clothes
White marks or a soapy feel can have several causes. Check detergent instructions, load space and rinsing before assuming a fault; poor drainage is one possible contributor.
Washing Machine Not Cleaning Properly
Separate a completed wash with poor results from an interrupted wash or a machine that cannot rinse or drain. The next step depends on which symptom actually occurs.
Frequently asked questions
Why are clothes still dirty?+
Possible contributors include loading, programme choice, stain treatment and dosing. Persistent poor results need model-specific checks.
Should I add more detergent?+
Only if the product instructions call for a larger dose for this load and water hardness. Both underdosing and overdosing can be a problem.
Should I use a hotter wash?+
Only if the garment and stain instructions allow it; extra heat is not the answer to every stain.
Sources and limits
Programme names, load limits and permitted settings vary. Follow the item’s care label and the instructions for your exact machine.
- Bosch UK: detergent dosingDose depends on the product instructions, load, soiling and water hardness. No single dose is prescribed here for every detergent. Checked 22 September 2026.
- Beko: washing and rinsing troubleshootingLists load, programme, dose, compartment and drainage as possible contributors to poor results. This is troubleshooting context, not a diagnosis of an uninspected washer. Checked 22 September 2026.