Washer operation
Drain & Spin removes water and extracts more from the load. Rinse & Spin adds a rinse first. Choose the operation you need, then match the exact cycle and options to your washer’s manual.
Do you need another rinse?
Wait for movement to stop and the lock to release normally. Do not force a lid or door. Stop for leaking, a burning smell or severe movement instead of repeatedly restarting extraction.
Removing water without repeating the wash
- Drain & Spin
- Whirlpool describes this as draining water, then spinning to extract water from the load without a new wash or rinse. It may help empty a washer after an interrupted cycle when normal controls and the matching manual permit it.
- Spin Only
- This is an extra-extraction operation. The name does not guarantee that no water will ever enter: LG documents intermittent water addition when a covered washer attempts to balance the load. Check your model before interpreting that behavior as a fault.
- Drain Only
- This removes water without extracting by spin. Use it only when your washer documents that option. LG’s support example includes a one-minute selection, but that control and meaning must not be transferred to an unmatched panel.
For the actual control sequence, use the Samsung Spin Only guide or LG Spin Only and Drain Only guide only after confirming your model. A similar-looking button is not enough.
Adding a rinse changes the operation
Whirlpool describes Rinse & Spin as a water rinse followed by extraction, without detergent. Choose this when another rinse is actually needed, rather than using the two cycle names interchangeably.
The control may be an option instead of a separate cycle. Whirlpool cycle guide W11766373 Rev A describes selecting Extra Rinse with Drain & Spin to obtain Rinse & Spin. This is an example from that document, not a universal Whirlpool button sequence.
If your panel and manual use another arrangement, follow those instructions. Do not add detergent merely because the washer is running another cycle.
Set up one supported operation
- Identify the full model. Open its cycle table and control instructions. Confirm the available operation and whether an additional rinse is selected.
- Match the load and extraction setting. Follow the washer’s loading limits and the items’ permitted spin conditions. More speed is not automatically appropriate.
- Start and observe. Use the documented start method. Record a message, retained water or repeated failure to reach spin rather than repeatedly changing unrelated controls.
If the selected operation cannot finish
Water remains: switch to drainage troubleshooting. Selecting another extraction cycle is not a repair for a washer that cannot empty.
The drum drains but the load stays very wet: follow spin troubleshooting to distinguish load and setting issues from missing spin.
For the complete loading, dispensing and cycle workflow, use the washer-operation guide.
Sources and applicability
- Whirlpool: choosing washer cycles. General Drain & Spin and Rinse & Spin descriptions. Available cycles vary by model.
- LG: using Spin Only. Covered control examples, Drain Only and balance-related water addition. Match the washer type and actual instructions.
- Whirlpool cycle guide W11766373 Rev A. Example of Extra Rinse modifying Drain & Spin. No all-model applicability asserted.
Reviewed October 19, 2026. This guide explains operation choices, not internal repair or a universal control shortcut.