Miele's manual lists the reasons a W1 load can come out poorly. Liquid detergent usually contains no bleaching agent, so fruit, coffee and tea stains may stay: use powder detergent with bleach, a matching capsule or a stain remover in the right compartment, and never mix stain removers and liquid detergent in the drawer. Gray greasy particles mean too little detergent for a load soiled with oils or ointments, so use more detergent and run the Clean Machine program before the next load. White powder-like residue on dark textiles is zeolite from the detergent; brush it off, use zeolite-free detergent and the Darks/Denim program.
Differential
Likely causes of “Miele W1 WXF980 washer does not clean clothes well”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Liquid detergent without bleaching agent
What separates it Fruit, coffee and tea stains remain because liquid detergent was used without a bleaching agent
How to confirm Use powder detergent with bleach or a stain remover in the correct compartment
- 2
Too little detergent for greasy soil
What separates it Gray, greasy particles cling to the laundry because there was too little detergent for the greasy soil
How to confirm Use more detergent and run Clean Machine before the next load
- 3
Zeolite residue
What separates it White residue shows on dark textiles because of zeolite residue
How to confirm Brush it off and use a detergent with no zeolites; use Darks/Denim
- 4
Bacteria and build-up in the machine
What separates it The results are musty or dull because of bacteria and build up in the machine
How to confirm Run the Clean Machine program, to clear the bacteria and build up
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The stains or residues left and on which fabrics
- The detergent type and the dose that you used
- The program and the temperature that you chose
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedMatch the detergent to the soil
ReversibleUse powder with a bleaching agent for fruit, coffee and tea; liquid or gel suits greasy soil.
Use enough detergent
ReversibleUse enough detergent, and follow the manufacturer's dosage, using more or liquid detergent for greasy loads.
Use the right program
ReversibleUse the right program, such as Darks or Denim for dark textiles that show residue.
Run Clean Machine
ReversibleWith Miele clean machine or a universal powder detergent, at intervals or when the display reminds you.
Check Level of soiling
ReversibleCheck Level of soiling, since Miele's Level of soiling option changes how thoroughly a program cleans.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The Sanitize info message
- When a program above 140 F (60 C) has not been run for a long time the display shows Sanitize info: run a high temp. program or the Clean Machine program. Confirm with OK, then choose Maintenance and OK, run Clean Machine with Miele clean machine or a universal powder detergent. It prevents the bacteria and odor build-up that dulls wash results.
- Load and program tips
- Miele's guide has you prepare the laundry, select a program, load the machine, choose temperature and spin speed and extras, add detergent and start. Wash large and small items together for balance, and treat stains beforehand; a wash program at low temperature with liquid detergent needs more attention to hygiene.
- Miele parts for this problem, part numbers and prices
- Miele's own shop lists the insert for liquid detergent, part number 6670450, at $30.00 and the detergent drawer sub-assembly, part number 9230910, at $76.00 (prices change). Poor results are far more often detergent, dose or a missed Clean Machine run than a part.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the W1 WXR960 washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If poor results continue after Clean Machine and the right detergent, contact Miele Technical Service
- !If the machine does not fill or drain properly, follow those pages first
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Miele's own manual lookup for the US, where the WXF and WXR W1 instructions are listed by model.
Miele's own US spare-parts shop, prices and part numbers; prices change.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why won't stains come out?+
Liquid detergents do not usually contain bleaching agents; use powder with bleach or a stain remover.
What are gray greasy particles?+
Insufficient detergent for a laundry heavily soiled with grease; use more and run Clean Machine.
What is the white residue on dark clothes?+
Zeolites, water-softening compounds in some detergents that do not dissolve.
What is Clean Machine?+
A program that cleans the machine and prevents bacteria and odor build-up.
What detergent does Miele recommend?+
Miele-recommended detergents are listed in its detergent section; general advice is to follow the manufacturer's dosage.
What is Level of soiling?+
An option that adapts the program to how dirty the laundry is.