LG WM6500HBA front-load washer does not clean clothes well

The checks in more detail

a drum more than three quarters full washes poorly, and a mixed load of heavy towels and light shirts balances badly. Put in a size that leaves a hand's width above the clothes, and wash heavy items separately. Check the detergent. High-efficiency detergent in the right amount, in the right drawer compartment, is crucial; too little leaves the dirt, and too much leaves residue that traps dirt and makes clothes dingy. Measure for the soil level and the water hardness. Put powder or liquid in the main compartment, not the softener one, and pods in the drum before the clothes.

Choose the cycle to suit the stains: Normal, Heavy Duty or TurboWash 360 for dirty clothes, with the soil level set high, and a warm or hot wash for greasy items, if the fabric allows. Cold water cleans less well on oil, so use warm for work clothes. Add a pre-treatment for stains. The washer itself can be the problem. A front-load washer holds water and soap in the door gasket and the drum, and a film of old detergent and mildew leaves a smell that passes to the laundry.

Run the Tub Clean cycle monthly with a washer cleaner, wipe the gasket's fold and leave the door ajar between washes. Clean the detergent drawer and the filter at the bottom, since a blocked drain filter stops the water changing properly. Check the water supply: low pressure or a kinked hose gives a poor fill, and the two inlet screens can clog with grit. Make sure that hot water reaches the washer. If clothes are still dirty after these changes, contact LG with the model and serial number, since a pump or sensor problem is possible.