CLOTHES STILL DIRTY

Washer not cleaning clothes well? Check detergent, temperature and load first.

Check these in order

1. Check whether it is only a cleaning problem. Samsung says a washer problem that affects cleaning usually also shows up as a draining, filling or spinning issue, or as an error code. If so, use the not-draining, not-filling or not-spinning guide.
2. Run an empty cycle on a new washer. Whirlpool says to run an empty cycle with HE detergent before the first load.
3. Match the cycle and temperature to the fabric. Follow the care label. Whirlpool says to use hot or warm if the fabric allows. It also says detergents are formulated to clean thoroughly above 60 °F (15.5 °C), and LG says detergent dissolves best in warm water, 30 to 40 °C. A powdered detergent may not dissolve well in low-speed cycles such as Delicate; use liquid instead (Whirlpool).
4. Use the right detergent in the right amount. HE detergent only, measured for the soil level and load size, and less if your water is very soft (Whirlpool). Samsung: as little as needed, never above the MAX line; underloading is likely to mean too much detergent, and fabric softener can stain and reduce towel absorbency.
5. Do not overload. Whirlpool says the washer will not rinse thoroughly or spin correctly if tightly packed, and items need to move freely. On top-loaders, load in loose heaps and separate darks to avoid dye transfer.
6. Pre-treat stains. Samsung says to treat stains promptly, pre-soak, and keep the stained item submerged in water with a small amount of detergent. If stains are allowed to dry, they may become permanent.
7. Check level. Samsung says an unlevel washer can stop detergent dispensing correctly or reduce spin speed. A Calibration Mode, where your model has it, is described in the stuck-on-spin guide.
8. Run the washer cleaner cycle. Whirlpool says a Clean Washer cycle about once a month with affresh recalibrates the control and removes detergent and softener buildup, and that you should run it if clothes are not coming out clean or the water level looks lower than when new. See how to clean a washing machine.

If it comes back

If the settings, detergent and load are right and clothes still come out dirty, Samsung says service is not needed unless there is an error code or another issue. Contact service if you also see a code, leaks, or poor draining or spinning. Tell them:

• The brand, model number (where to find it) and any code.
• The detergent type and amount, cycle, temperature and load size you used.
• Whether the washer fills, drains and spins normally.

Private tools: prepare a Service Brief → or save a washer log →. Compare the cost of a repair with replacement in the repair-or-replace calculator.