Solved

Washer Doesn't Seem To Use Much Water

JAJames Tan
Asked about 19 years ago 5,230 views
0

We have only recently purchased the above machine and since there were only two of us, we decided to go for the most basic and cheapest AEG model. When we did our second wash (on energy saving cycle) and I happened to be watching the washing part, and was very surprised to see how little water it uses (no sign of water except that the clothes looked wet?). Is this common? Or have I got a defective machine? Or could it be I have not turned on the water fully on?? Even when it went to the rinse cycle, again I saw very little water in the drum? Whereas I recalled using the public laundrette washing machine no matter how much clothing I stuff it into the washing machine, one can always see the water level (unlike this AEG machine, all the water are soaked up and no water level appears?). The machine is only two weeks old and if it is indeed defective I suspect I can still return it. OR is this normal with this energy saving technology. I went back to John Lewis and they have asked me to speak with AEG. Before I do that perhaps someone in this forum can be of help??

Solution Summary

AI-generated from this discussion

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

AEG washer using very little visible water is normal on modern eco cycles

The problem
A recently purchased basic AEG washing machine appeared to use very little water on wash and rinse cycles, with no obvious water level visible through the door, leading to concern that it might be faulty or that the water supply was not fully on.
Likely cause
No fault was identified. The accepted advice and the manufacturer's phone advice both said this is normal behaviour for modern water- and energy-saving washing machines.
What fixed it
No repair was needed. The advice was to judge the machine by wash performance; if it cleans clothes properly it is almost certainly working normally.
Checks to try
  • Observed that clothes were wet but no visible water level could be seen during wash and rinse
  • Machine was used on an energy-saving cycle
  • Manufacturer AEG was contacted and gave similar advice that low water use is normal
Cause identifiedGenerated 8 Aug 2026 · AI summaries can make mistakes — read the full thread below.
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2 Answers

Accepted Answer
0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered about 19 years ago

Most washing machines now hardly use any water. As a result most are not so good at rinsing according to Which? reports. It's normal not to see much water whereas in the past it went halfway up the door glass on rinses. If it washes your clothes OK it's almost certainly working OK.

One of the most commented articles on my Blog is about rinsing efficiency, which you may find interesting - Why can’t modern washing machines rinse properly?

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
JA
James Tan
Answered about 19 years ago

I suppose having had an older machine which finally packed it in and replacing it with this new generation washing machine that uses very little water....... I did ring AEG up and they told me a similar story. Hey Washerhelp, thank you so much for responding to my message, and now hopefully I won't have to replace the washing machine for at least a long time... THANKS!

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