You are just about to finish your first load of laundry for the day. Once this cycle is finished, you will move it to the dryer and get the next load of clothes ready for the washing machine. When the timing mechanism indicates that the washing machine is ready to unload, you go open it only to find your clothes are absolutely soaked! “But won’t the dryer take care of that?” At most, your clothes should feel somewhat damp after a wash cycle; a soaked load can damage the internal mechanisms of the dryer due to the excess water. Let’s explore what to do when your washing machine gives you an excessively soaked load.
What Do I Check?
First, you need to remove the clothes from the washing machine. Place them in a vacant hamper or put them on top of the closed dryer so you can troubleshoot your washing machine. You should then check the following parts of your washing machine:
1. Power Cord
Make sure your washing machine is connected to a standard power cord, not an extension cord. The amount of power required for a successful cycle cannot be sufficiently transmitted by an extension cord, so make sure your washing machine is able to have that standard connection.
2. Drain Filter
After cross-referencing either a hard copy or an online manual for your washing machine, locate its drain filter (location varies depending on the manufacturer) and empty it. An overloaded filter keeps water stuck in the machine and keeps it from properly draining, so make sure to clean out that filter regularly.
3. Drain Hose
Like the filter, the drain hose can also get clogged without regular maintenance. To check for clogs, detach the hose from the washer and clean out the inside. It’s also prudent to straighten out the drain hose in case that’s keeping water from flowing out of the washer.
4. Wash Settings
Take another look at the settings for your washing machine. Did you do anything different from usual when running this cycle, or were the settings the same as usual? Whether intentionally or on accident, be sure that your wash settings are ideal for the specific load.
5. Spin Cycle
Another way you can troubleshoot your washing machine is by running an empty cycle. For this, you will just run your machine on spin and see if anything works or if there is a build-up of excess water. If it’s clear that such issues are occurring, it is time to call for help.
I Checked All of the Above, But My Clothes Are Still Soaked!
If you completed all the troubleshooting steps described above, try running another load. If that load still comes out heavily soaked, it is time to call for help. Before you call for help, you will want to do something about the intensely damp clothes. Take those clothes to a sink to first wring them, then let them air dry. Once they are sufficiently air-dried, then place that load into the dryer for a tumble dry. Putting heavily soaking clothes right into the dryer can lead to damage, so it’s absolutely essential that you remember to wring, then air dries first.
When Should I Call For Help With Soaked Clothes?
While you’re taking care of your still-soaked clothes, take a moment to call for washing machine maintenance so a professional can properly diagnose the problem, then get your machine back to regular working order. “But who can I call for help?” you ask. All you need to do is check out our services at Appliance Repair Kingwood, and we will be there for you, so contact us today for reliable laundry appliance repairs.