Expert reveals common laundry mistake that leaves your washing machine spinning for minutes longer than it should

AN expert has revealed the common laundry mistake that sees the machine spin for longer than necessary.

Everyone knows the feeling of thinking you are just in time to get a wash done before another plan only to find that the clock on the machine has been stuck on the same minute – delaying your plans.

Now, an expert has revealed why the final few minutes of a wash seem to go on forever and how to avoid the irritating problem.

Social media has been overrun with people sharing their frustrations about “lying” washing machines.

On X one person said: “No bigger liar than a washing machine.

“The way this one minute will last for 25 years of your life and even longer if you’re in a rush.”

“Everyone: A minute is 60 seconds. My washing machine: A minute is anywhere from 10 seconds to 15 minutes,” another wrote.

A third asked: “Why is 1 minute left on a washing machine equivalent to like 5 normal minutes plz?”

Appliance repair expertIan Palmer-Smith has now revealed the answer and it could be linked to your detergent.

First, it has to be said that research has revealed that the final minutes of washing are not a trick of the mind – you are genuinely waiting longer.

Repair service Domestic General revealed that the average washing machine cycle will over run by 11 minutes – nearly 17 per cent longer than the time given.

In its experiment on six different models of washing machine all with the same loads of laundry and on the same setting, the company found that one load overran by more than 20 minutes.

Ian Palmer-Smith revealed that there are multiple reasons of why this happens.

It could be that you are using too much detergent which means the machines have to wash for longer to get the clothes clean.

He said: “This common annoyance is generally the result of your washing machine working hard against simple mistakes to ensure you're left with laundry that is well cleaned and rinsed.

“The most common culprit tends to be adding too much laundry detergent.

“If you add too much into the appliance, it will often require additional time to spin and drain away any excess water and detergent residue.”

He also warned that overusing detergent can “lead to a clogged machine which may result in the need for a washing machine repair”.

Another cause of delays could be the way you load the machine.

“With washing machines becoming more sophisticated, they are able to detect if the load is unbalanced,” he said.

“If it is, this can often result in additional minutes being added.

“This is a really easy mistake to avoid by distributing your laundry evenly in the drum.”

Finally, if there is too much washing in a single load, this can also cause delays.

The drum of the washing machine should only be up to 80 per cent full and all items should be spread evenly throughout, the expert advised.

“Putting too many heavy clothing items in one wash, for example lots of hoodies and towels, can strain the machine as it struggles to spin at the optimal setting,” Palmer-Smith said.

“Never fill your washing machine more than 80%, you should still be able to see some of the drum.”

Meanwhile, others have been left “gobsmacked” after a Queen of Clean revealed a secret button on washing machines that means it will never need cleaning.