Why clothes do not get clean in an overfilled machine

Short answer: Clothes get clean by moving in the water. If the machine is filled to the brim, the clothes cannot move, and both dirt and detergent stay in the fibres.

Movement does the work

The detergent loosens the dirt, but it is the movement that rinses it out. Without room that does not happen.

The rule of thumb

There should be room for a hand on top of the clothes when the drum is full. If there is not, there is too much in it.

Residue causes smell

Detergent that is not rinsed out binds to the fibres and smells when you get warm. See smell in clothes that will not go away.

Residue causes itching

The same residue lies against the skin all day and is a common cause of itching. See clothes without itching.

Wear

Compressed clothes rub against themselves through the whole programme, and that creates pilling faster. See pilling on clothes.

Two smaller loads

Two half-full loads wash better than one overfilled one and do not use twice as much water.

General washing

The rest of the rules for bamboo viscose are in the washing guide.

Frequently asked questions

How full can the machine be?

There should be room for a hand on top of the clothes.

Do I save water by filling it right up?

Not really. The clothes do not get clean and you end up washing again.

Can overfilling cause smell?

Yes. Detergent residue is not rinsed out and smells when the fabric gets warm.